TIMELINE OF THE...MONGOL INVASIONS OF JAPAN

The Mongol ruler Kublai Khan leads several attacks on the Japanese islands and is met by ferocious resistance

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1259-65

RISE OF KUBLAI KHAN

01 After the Mongol Emperor Möngke Khan dies in battle, his brother Kublai eventually becomes the Great Khan after a brief civil war with his younger brother Arik Böke. Kublai continues his predecessor’s conquest of China and makes the city of Yanjing – today Beijing – his capital. Kublai next conquers the Korean peninsula, which is ruled by the Koryo dynasty. This gives the Mongols ready access to a large number of Korean shipbuilders to mount their next military expansion.

1266-68

OFFER TO THE EMPEROR

Seeking to bring the rich Japanese islands under his control, Kublai sends envoys with a letter to the shogun, who rules Japan in the emperor’s stead. While recognising the reputation of Japan’s warriors, Kublai offers the Japanese a chance to submit to his superior force and power, misjudging the samurai determination to fight.

4 November 1274

INVASION OF TSUSHIMA