The Origin of the Lost Fleet of the Mongol Empire
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THE ORIGIN OF THE LOST FLEET OF THE MONGOL EMPIRE A Thesis by RANDALL JAMES SASAKI Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS December 2008 Major Subject: Anthropology THE ORIGIN OF THE LOST FLEET OF THE MONGOL EMPIRE A Thesis by RANDALL JAMES SASAKI Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, Louis Filipe M. Vieira de Castro Committee Members, Kevin Crisman John M. Nichols Head of Department, Donny L. Hamilton December 2008 Major Subject: Anthropology iii ABSTRACT The Origin of the Lost Fleet of the Mongol Empire. (December 2008) Randall James Sasaki, B.A., Southwest Missouri State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Louis Filipe M. Vieira de Castro In 1281 C.E., under the rule of Kublai Khan, the Mongols sent a fleet of more than 4000 vessels to subjugate the island nation of Japan. A powerful typhoon, called kamikaze, dashed the invading fleet into pieces on the shores of Japan and thus saved the nation from foreign rule. Historical sources suggest there were three principal vessel types involved in this event: V-shaped cargo ships for transporting provisions to the front, constructed in China’s Fukien Province; miscellaneous flat and round bottomed vessels made along the Yangtze River; and flat bottomed landing craft from Korea. In the recent past, the remains of the fleet were discovered at the Takashima underwater site in western Japan, unveiling numerous artifacts including weaponry, shipboard items, and sections of hull; however, between 1281 and the late twentieth century the site has seen major disturbances, and the artifacts are often in poor condition. Because the site contains the remains of ships built in China and Korea, the interpretation of the artifacts is also extremely complex. In order to determine the origin of the vessels, a logical framework is necessary. The author has created a timber category database, analyzed methods of joinery, and studied contemporary approaches to shipbuilding to ascertain the origins and types of vessels that composed the Mongol fleet. iv Although no conclusive statements can be made regarding the origins of the vessels, it appears that historical documents and archaeological evidence correspond well to each other, and that many of the remains analyzed were from smaller vessels built along the Yangtze River Valley. Large, V-shaped cargo ships and the Korean vessels probably represent a small portion of the timbers raised at the Takashima site. As the first research project of its kind in the region, this study is a starting point for understanding the real story of the Mongol invasion of Japan, as well as the history of shipbuilding in East Asia. v To Sharon, my mother, without your support, this study would not have been possible. To my father, who said my research was just a piece of junk. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many who I wish to thank for their help and guidance in preparing this thesis. I apologize in omitting those friends, colleagues, and mentors who deserve to be noted here, but unfortunately are not listed. Kenzo Hayashida, a leading scholar in the field of underwater archaeology in Japan must be mentioned first. Without his effort in promoting the field of study, the Takashima underwater site would not have been known to the world. I will always be grateful for his support and direction. I owe many thanks to the Matsuura Board of Education who allowed me to analyze the timbers and provided access to their facilities while I conducted my research. This research would not have been conducted without financial support by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University and RPM Nautical Foundation. The faculty members at the Nautical Archaeology Program, Committee Members, and colleagues were always helpful in providing a fresh look at my project. I appreciate the advice that our committee members provided me when I most needed it. Dr. James Delgado, who introduced this exciting project, must also be mentioned. I owe a thanks to those who proof-read my thesis, including Drs. Filipe Castro and Kevin Crisman. Finally, Dr. George Bass, you were always my source of motivation. Many people participated in the timber recording project in Japan. I appreciate their time and effort in coming to the remote island for my research. The people of Takashima must not be forgotten. The warm welcome that they showed me became the treasure of my life; the vii island of Takashima became my “third home town.” Last but not least, I owe everything to my parents. Thank you for your support. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ...................................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................... x LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ xv CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1 II A BRIEF HISTORY OF EAST ASIA ........................................................... 7 Before the Invasion................................................................................... 7 The Strategy for the Second Invasion of 1281 ......................................... 14 The 1281 Invasion and Its Aftermath....................................................... 22 III MONGOLIAN-ERA SHIPBUILDING TECHNOLOGY……………… ..... 29 East Asian Naval Organization................................................................. 29 Ship Types ................................................................................................ 33 The Discovery of the 1281 Invasion Fleet................................................ 42 The Research Project................................................................................ 54 IV THE TIMBER RECORDING PROJECT ...................................................... 61 Timber Category Classification................................................................ 61 Beams ....................................................................................................... 65 Bulkheads ................................................................................................. 69 Deck Planking........................................................................................... 79 ix CHAPTER Page Planks........................................................................................................ 81 Railings..................................................................................................... 85 Fashioned Timbers.................................................................................... 90 Wales ........................................................................................................ 93 Fasteners ................................................................................................... 96 Unknown/Other........................................................................................ 98 Logs and Cut Logs.................................................................................... 109 Unidentifiable ........................................................................................... 112 Featureless Timbers.................................................................................. 114 V A SURVEY OF JOINERY............................................................................. 115 Fastening with Nails................................................................................. 115 Wooden Joining Technologies................................................................. 120 Miscellaneous Joinery.............................................................................. 135 VI THE PHILOSOPHY OF SHIPBUILDING.................................................... 142 The Philosophy of Shipbuilding in East Asia........................................... 142 Evidence from the Takashima Underwater Site ....................................... 154 VII CONCLUSIONS............................................................................................ 165 WORKS CITED.................................................................................................................... 170 APPENDIX A ....................................................................................................................... 184 APPENDIX B........................................................................................................................ 198 APPENDIX C........................................................................................................................ 240 APPENDIX D ....................................................................................................................... 243 VITA ....................................................................................................................................