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The Battle of Bun’ei: The First Mongol Invasion of Japan

  • Yuan Army in the Battle of Bun’ei

    Yuan Army in the Battle of Bun’ei

  • The beach at Imazu looking toward Hakata Bay and Genkai Island. The site was one of the landing areas of the Yuan army. (© Mochida Jōji)

    The beach at Imazu looking toward Hakata Bay and Genkai Island. The site was one of the landing areas of the Yuan army. (© Mochida Jōji)

  • Yuan soldiers assault Takezaki Suenaga at Torikai in a scene from the Mōko shūrai ekotoba (Illustrated Story of the Mongol Invasions). (Courtesy the Kyūshū University Library)

    Yuan soldiers assault Takezaki Suenaga at Torikai in a scene from the Mōko shūrai ekotoba (Illustrated Story of the Mongol Invasions). (Courtesy the Kyūshū University Library)

  • An exploding shell (left) and a Yuan helmet on display at the Matsuura Municipal Archeological Center. (© Mochida Jōji)

    An exploding shell (left) and a Yuan helmet on display at the Matsuura Municipal Archeological Center. (© Mochida Jōji)

  • The site of the defensive kegosho. The structure was incorporated into Fukuoka Castle by daimyō Kuroda Nagamasa in 1601. (© Mochida Jōji)

    The site of the defensive kegosho. The structure was incorporated into Fukuoka Castle by daimyō Kuroda Nagamasa in 1601. (© Mochida Jōji)

  • Fukunaga Masahiro of the Kyūshū University Museum. (© Mochida Jōji)

    Fukunaga Masahiro of the Kyūshū University Museum. (© Mochida Jōji)

  • Left: Yuan fighters attack at Soharayama, as depicted in Illustrated Story of the Mongol Invasions. (Courtesy the Kyūshū University Library); the peak of Soharayama today. (© Mochida Jōji)

    Left: Yuan fighters attack at Soharayama, as depicted in Illustrated Story of the Mongol Invasions. (Courtesy the Kyūshū University Library); the peak of Soharayama today. (© Mochida Jōji)

  • Hattori Hideo has taught at Kyūshū University and Nagoya Castle Research Center. (© Hattori Hideo)

    Hattori Hideo has taught at Kyūshū University and Nagoya Castle Research Center. (© Hattori Hideo)

  • The ruins of the Dazaifu government offices. (© Jiji)

    The ruins of the Dazaifu government offices. (© Jiji)

  • The ruins of the Mizuki Fortress. The earthen walls of the defensive structure are said to have towered nine meters high. (Courtesy Dazaifu municipal government)

    The ruins of the Mizuki Fortress. The earthen walls of the defensive structure are said to have towered nine meters high. (Courtesy Dazaifu municipal government)

  • Genkō Bōrui at Hakata Bay

    Genkō Bōrui at Hakata Bay

  • The genkō bōrui at Iki no Matsubara. (© Mochida Jōji)

    The genkō bōrui at Iki no Matsubara. (© Mochida Jōji)

  • A reproduction of the assault on the genkō bōrui at Iki no Matsubara as depicted in Illustrated Story of the Mongol Invasions. (Courtesy the Kyūshū University Library)

    A reproduction of the assault on the genkō bōrui at Iki no Matsubara as depicted in Illustrated Story of the Mongol Invasions. (Courtesy the Kyūshū University Library)

  • The ruins of the genkō bōrui bulwark at Imazu. (© Mochida Jōji)

    The ruins of the genkō bōrui bulwark at Imazu. (© Mochida Jōji)

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