The Mongol Invasions of Japan

What happened

Twice, in 1274 and 1281, Kublai Khan sent enormous fleets to conquer Japan. Both times the samurai defended fiercely, but it was violent typhoons — remembered by the Japanese as the kamikaze, or 'divine winds' — that wrecked the Mongol fleets and saved Japan from invasion.

Why it matters

The failed invasions were among the Mongols' rare defeats, and the legend of the 'divine winds' became a lasting part of Japanese identity.

Sources

• World History Encyclopedia. The Mongol Invasions of Japan, 1274 & 1281 CE · Reputable source