1274 Invasion of Tsushima

The Yuan invasion force set off from Korea on 2 November 1274. Two days later they began landing on Tsushima Island. The principal landing was made at Komoda beach near Sasuura, on the northwestern tip of the southern island. Additional landings occurred in the strait between the two islands of Tsushima (near Castle Kaneda) as well as at two points on the northern island.
At Sasuura, the invasion fleet was spotted offshore, allowing the jito, Shimura Ken to organize a hasty defense. On that day, the shrine to Hachiman caught fire, which would have been an omen of bad luck, but Shimura interpreted it as an omen of warning.
With 80 mounted samurai and their retinue, Shimura confronted an invasion force of 8,000 warriors embarked on 900 ships. The Mongols landed at 02:00 in the morning on 5 November, and ignored the Japanese negotiation attempts, opening fire with their archers and forcing them to retreat. At 3:35, Lord Adachi Harunobu attempted to challenge the invading Khan to a duel of honor. He was doused in oil and lit on fire.
The fight was engaged by 04:00. The small garrison force was quickly defeated, but according to some accounts, each Samurai cut down as many as 25 enemy soldiers in individual combat.
After their victory at Komoda, the Yuan forces burnt down most of the buildings around Sasuura and slaughtered most of the inhabitants. They took the next few days to secure control of Tsushima.

Conflict Type

War