The Mongolian invasions! The battlefield of “Genko” is in Fukuoka!
“Have you ever heard of “Genko”? The Genko refers to the two invasions of Japan by the Mongol Empire during the Kamakura period. Many dramas took place during the offensives around Hakata Bay. In this article, we describe what it was like in those days from the historical sites in Fukuoka City and the Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasions.
The first attack! The battle of “Bun'ei no Eki”
The Mongol Empire extended its territory. In 1274, they embarked on an invasion of Chinese Southern Song, and also invaded Japan, which had a friendship with Southern Song.
After attacking Tsushima and Iki, Mongolian army landed from Momochibaru and took up position on Mt. Sohara. The Japanese forces struggled against the enemy’s group tactics and new weapons such as guns, and pulled back from Akasaka, Torikai, and Hakozaki to Mizuki Castle in Dazaifu. However, the enemy retreated because of damage from a storm that hit Kyushu. This was the first invasion by Mongol, “Bun'ei no Eki.”
In the “Moko Shurai Ekotoba” (the pictorial record of Mongolian Invasions), Samurai are depicted heading for Hakata in response to the Mongolian invasion. The third person from the left is Suenaga Takezaki, a Gokenin of Higo (Kumamoto), and on the right are the troops of Yoriyasu Otomo, a Shugo of Buzen (Oita). In the center, the Torii gate of the Kosaki-gu Shrine is pictured.
The shrine was destroyed by fire during the Bun'ei no Eki. The emperor Kameyama offered a Goshinkan (a letter written by the emperor) stating “Surrender of the enemy” when it was rebuilt.
The Kosaki-gu is now famous for good luck and protection from bad luck because people believed the god drove away the Mongolian army.
A key to preventing the Mongolian army is masonry?!
Two years after the Bun'ei no Eki, the Shogunate planned to build a 20-km-long stone wall along Hakata Bay in preparation for the next Mongolian attack. This was the “Genko Borui”. At that time, it was called “Ishi-tsuiji”.
The Genko Borui was built from Imazu to Kashii, from west to east, by each province in Kyushu. The construction period was only six months.
The stones and sand for the fort were transported from nearby mountains and beaches. There are differences in the internal structure of the fort since the geographical environment and the area in charge of construction differed from region to region. The height of the fort is 2-3m, but some were made entirely of stones, others were filled with sand, and some were piled with stones only on the seaside and earth and sand on the land side.
In the Iki-no-Matsubara, Imazu, and Nishijin areas, you can see reconstructed Genko Borui based on excavation investigation.
The Genko Borui is designated as a National Historic Site that shows the defense system and technological capabilities of Japan at that time.
The Second Attack! “Kouan no Eki”
Mongol, who had destroyed the Southern Song in 1279 and brought all of China under their control, attempted to invade Japan again in 1281, this time with The Eastern Route Army (Mongol and Korea) and The Southern Route Army (Mongol and Southern Song).
The Eastern Route Army, which took the lead, reached Hakata Bay, but failed to land due to the fort.
Japan succeeded in preventing the enemy from landing by using the geographical advantage and by effectively using the fort and small ship.
Meanwhile, The Southern Route Army encountered a storm at Takashima Island on their way to Hakata Bay. Many warships sank and the Mongols were forced to retreat.
After Genko and the excavation of the stone wall revived in modern age
After Koan no Eki, Japan continued to improve the fort to prepare for Mongol's third invasion. However, after Kublai Khan's death in 1294, Mongol's policy toward Japan changed drastically, shifting to focus on improving relations through diplomacy and trade.
The fort had fulfilled its role and was gradually buried.
During the Taisho Era, it drew attention again. Dr. Heijiro Nakayama, a professor of medicine and archaeologist at Kyushu Imperial University, named the fort “Genko Borui” and conducted excavations.
In 1931, the Genko Borui in the Jizo Matsubara, Jigyo, Nishijin, Momochi, Waki, Mukaihama, Iki-no-Matsubara, Nagatare, Imayama, and Imazu areas were designated as National Historic Sites and have been preserved and handed down to the present.
Although the current fort is located far from the coastline in some areas, it is possible to trace the coastline of the Kamakura period from the remains of the fort.
In recent years, “Genko” has once again attracted the world's attention through video games and manga.
Why don't you visit the Genko Borui and other related historical sites in the city and think back to the battles of ancient times?
⇩[Fukuoka Heritage Week] Official Website⇩
