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Mongol invasions of Japan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Mongol invasions of Japan (元寇, Genkō) were two big attempts by the Mongol Empire to invade Japan. These happened in 1274 and 1281. Kublai Khan, the leader of the Mongol (Yuan Dynasty) empire, tried twice to conquer the Japanese islands. But his armies failed both times.

These two failed invasions were very important events in Japanese history. They showed that even the powerful Mongol Empire had limits to how far it could expand its control.

Key Events

  • November 19, 1274 (Bun'ei 11): Kublai Khan sent a large fleet and army to Japan. Some of his soldiers landed near Fukuoka in Kyūshū. However, a big storm hit and sank many of their ships. Most of the invading army drowned. The remaining invaders had to go back to Korea. During the short fights, a place called the Hakozaki Shrine was burned down. This event is known as the Battle of Bun'ei (文永の役, Bun'ei no eki).
  • 1281 (Kōan 4): The Mongols tried to invade Japan a second time. This attempt is called the Battle of Kōan (弘安の役, Kōan no eki).

What Happened Next?

After the Mongol invaders were defeated, Japan's independence was safe. Inside Japan, there was a power struggle. This led to military leaders gaining more power, and the Emperor's power became less.

Related pages

  • Fukuoka/Hakata Tourist Information, "Historic spots of Genko (Mongol invasion of Japan)"
  • Bowdoin, Mongol Invasions of Japan

Images for kids

  • LetterFromKhubilaiToJapan1266

    Letter from Kublai Khan to the King of Japan, written in 1266. It's now kept in Tōdai-ji, Nara, Japan.

  • Mongol invasion of Tsushima, ema at Sasuura

    Two Samurai with a dead Mongol soldier. The one on the right might be Sō Sukekuni, who defended Tsushima. This is a special picture (ema) at a shrine.

  • Mitsui Sukenaga

    Samurai Mitsui Sukenaga (right) fighting the Mongolian invasion army (left).

  • Genko Borui Nishijin Fukuoka 02

    A stone defense wall (Genkō Bōrui) at Nishijin, near Seinan University. Most of it is now buried.

  • The stake of a Japanese army

    A stake used to stop Mongol ships from landing in a river. It was found in 1905.

  • Takezaki suenaga ekotoba3

    Japanese samurai getting onto Yuan ships in 1281.

  • Takezaki suenaga ekotoba bourui

    The defense wall at Hakata.

  • The anchor of a Mongolian army(2)

    A wooden anchor from a Mongol invasion ship.

  • Mongolian anchor stone

    A stone anchor from a Mongol invasion ship.

  • Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba e2

    Shōni Kagesuke and his soldiers in Akasaka.

  • てつはう（震天雷）

    Stoneware bombs, called tetsuhō (iron bomb) in Japanese, found from a shipwreck in 2011.

  • Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba4

    Takezaki Suenaga and Mongol soldiers running away.

  • Tachi Sword - Dojikiri Yasutsuna

    A type of Japanese sword called a tachi. This one is very old and important.

  • Katana, Sōshū Masamune (Ishida Masamune)

    A Sōshū school katana. It was made by a famous sword maker named Masamune.

  • Mooko-SamuraiShips

    Japanese attack ships.

  • MokoShuraiE-Kotoba I

    Mongol soldiers.

  • MokoShuraiE-Kotoba III

    Mongol ships.

  • Armour red threads Kasuga shrine

    Japanese armor called ō-yoroi.

  • モンゴル型皮鎧

    Mongol armor made of leather.

  • The helmet of a Mongolian army (3)

    A Mongol helmet.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Invasiones mongolas de Japón para niños

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