Genkō Bōrui
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The Genkō Bōrui (元寇防塁, Genkō Bōrui) was a long defense stone wall constructed along the Hakata Bay in Japan in preparation for an attack by Yuan Dynasty after the first attack of 1274. The second attack of 1281 met the kamikaze and could not invade Japan. [1][clarification needed] In the Edo era, some of the stones were reused for the construction of Fukuoka Castle. Genkō Bōrui was named by Heijiro Nakayama. It was originally called "Ishitsuiji" (石築地). It was designated a national historic site on March 30, 1931.[citation needed]
History
The Mongol invasions Genkō (元寇) of Japan in 1274 and 1281 were major military efforts undertaken by Kublai Khan to conquer Japan. Starting in 1275, after the failure of the first invasion, the Kamakura shogunate (Bakufu) initiated a series of projects to prepare for the next invasion, which they felt was imminent. In addition to better organizing the samurai of Kyushu, they ordered the construction of a large stone wall[2] and other defensive structures at many potential landing points, including Hakata Bay. A document which was recovered in the Osumi area of Kagoshima, records that the defensive line was to be constructed with 3.3 cm[clarification needed] of stone fortifications per rice field yielding 1 koku of rice as a kind of taxation on samurai, temples and shrines.[3]For the building of Genkō Bōrui, a considerable number of men were convened in the Hakata area. In 1958, human bones corresponding to 200 bodies were found in Imazu near the defensive structure, with ceramics considered to have been used by those convened for the construction of the wall.[4] A part of Genkō Bōrui was completed before the second invasion and prevented the enemy from landing, forcing the ships had to anchor at Shikanoshima Island. Even later, the defense system was continued, and remained intact until 1332. In the Edo era, most of the stones were used for the construction of Fukuoka Castle.
Structure
The Genkō Bōrui was typically 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) high and 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) wide. The western end was in Imazu, Nishiku, Fukuoka and the eastern end in Kashii, Higashiku, Fukuoka, and generally said to be 20 kilometres (12 mi) long. It was packed with small stones inside, the seaside steep and the landside less steep. Shields and flags were placed on the Genko Borui and stakes were planted in the sea at irregular intervals.
Takezaki Suenaga
Takezaki Suenaga (1246 - 1314) was a retainer of Higo Province who fought in both campaigns against the Mongols. Suenaga commissioned the Moko Shurai Ekotoba, a pictorial scroll showing his own valor in war, composed in 1293. During the Mongol invasion of 1274. Suenaga fought at Fukuoka. Suenaga sold his horses and saddles in order to finance a trip to Kamakura, where he reported his deeds in battle to the Shogunate.
Etymology
In a newspaper article of Fukuoka Nichi Nichi Shimbun between June 12, 1913 and June 29, 1913, Heijiro Nakayama first used the word of Genkō Bōrui meaning Mongolian Invasion defense structure[5] and he defined that Genkō Bōrui differs from conventional stone defense in that it is the high elevation of sand dike, covered with stones, a structure of blockage against invasion[6]
Archaeological excavations
The Genkō Bōrui was excavated at the locations listed below.[7]All locations are along the Hakata Bay, within the city of Fukuoka.
| Year | Location | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Ikino Matsubara near Meinohama Station | Use of sandstone and granite confirmed. |
| 1969 | Imazu near Shimoyamato Station | Basalt and granite were used, differing in location. |
| 1970 | Nishijin near the center of Seinan University | Clay and sand in alternate layers. |
| 1978 | Meinohama | Inside are stones, clay is not used. Width is 4 metres (13 ft). |
| 1993 | Near Hakozaki Shrine | Few stones uncovered during railway construction. Nothing more of value found. |
| 1996 | Momochi near Fukuoka Dome | Scattered stones were found and investigated during the construction of an apartment building. |
| 1998 | Ikino Matsubara near Meinohama Station | Rear consists of alternate sand and clay layers. |
| 1998 | Nishijin | Inside the building of Seinan University showed stone fence and sand fence.[8][clarification needed] |
| 2000 | Near Hakozaki Shrine | Railway construction led to uncovering and investigation of more of the wall |
Notes
- ^ Cyclopedia of Japanese History [1994:6-765]
- ^ 石塁, Sekirui, now 元寇防塁
- ^ Shoji Kawazoe, Review: What does Genkō Bōrui Tell ? History of Fukuoka City; Fukuoka (Journal, first issue) 2006, p.5-39
- ^ Kawazoe[2006:17]
- ^ Kawazoe[2006:6]
- ^ Kawazoe[2006:6] citing A New Study of Mongolian Invasion Site by Heijiro Nakayama.
- ^ 西新地区元寇防塁発掘調査報告書 (in Japanese), Fukuoka: Fukuoka City Board of Education, 2002
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External references
- 国史蹟 元寇防塁（生きの松原地区）復元・修理報告書 (in Japanese), Fukuoka: Fukuoka City Board of Education, 2001
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - Kei Okazaki, ed. (1984), Ancient Hakata (in Japanese), Kyushu University Press
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|trans_title=(help) - 市史研究 ふくおか創刊号 元寇防塁が語るもの (in Japanese), Fukuoka: Fukuoka Museum Fukuoka City History Editing Committee, 2006, p. 5-30
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Unknown parameter|auther=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - 日本史大事典 6 (in Japanese), Tokyo: Heibonsha, 1994, p. 765, ISBN 4-582-13106-9
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