INVASION OF TSUSHIMA

Around 30,000 Mongol, Korean and Chinese soldiers and sailors make the crossing to the island of Tsushima, which lies midway between the Korean peninsula and Kyushu, the southernmost of the main Japanese islands. Expecting little resistance, the landing force instead is met by a small samurai force led by Sukekuni So. Though the Japanese put up a sturdy defence, Kublai’s forces are ultimately too strong and go on to lay waste to Tsushima’s settlements.

Two samurai stand with a dead Mongol at their feet – one is thought to be a depiction of Tsushima’s commander