This week I promise we’ll actually get to the 1274 invasion. But first, how were the samurai who defended Japan organized, and what weapons did they use?
Turnbull, Stephen. The Mongol Invasions of Japan of 1274-1281.
Conlan, Thomas D. In Little Need of Divine Intervention: Takezaki Suenaga’s Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan.
May, Timothy. The Mongol Conquests in World History.
Images
Modern practitioners of kyudo, or the martial art of archery, use a weapon very different in composition from Kamakura era samurai. Yet the basic structure remains the same, particularly the size of the weapon and unusual placement of the grip.A Kamakura armor set; this particular one was for the heir of a major shugo family, and is thus more ornate than normal.This detail from a scroll depicting the Mongol invasions gives you a good sense of the relative equipment of both sides.This map labels both Tsushima and Iki islands, the first two targets of the 1274 invasion. Hakata bay is just to the left of the name Fukuoka.A depiction of the 1274 combat. Note the exploding bomb in the center.
