13th century Mongol ship found off Japanese island

[News_Editor]

13th century Mongol ship found off Japanese island

2011-10-25 17:11:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

NAGASAKI, JAPAN (BNO NEWS) -- A 13th century Mongol ship has been found practically intact off a Japanese island, local media reported Tuesday. It may provide better understanding of shipbuilding in the century.

Japanese researchers believe the wrecked ship, which was found under the seabed off the country's Nagasaki Prefecture with the use of ultrasonic equipment, could be part of the 13th century ill-fated attempts by Mongolian ruler of China Kublai Khan to invade Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported.

The discovery was made about one meter (3.2 feet) under the seabed in waters 20 to 25 meters (65.6 to 82 feet) deep off Takashima Island in Matsuura, Nagasaki and could be a vital link to understanding such attacks carried out between 1274 and 1281, as it is the first wreck found in relation to the invasion attempt. Most of the information regarding the attacks has so far come from documents and drawings.

Furthermore, University of the Ryukyus professor Yoshifumi Ikeda and his team said the ship was found practically intact with a 12-meter (39.3 feet) section of the keel and rows of planks 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) thick and 15 to 25 centimeters (5.9 to 9.8 inches) wide attached to the keel. The vessel is believed to have been over 20 meters (65.6 feet) long.

At the bottom of the vessel, researchers also found bricks, ink stones and weaponry used by the Yuan Dynasty. The ship was linked to the attack launched by Kublai Khan (1215-1294) against Japan in 1281 because the structure resembles that of Chinese ships of that era.

"I believe we will be able to understand more about shipbuilding skills at the time as well as the actual situation of exchanges in East Asia," Ikeda told Kyodo, adding that the wreck likely remained relatively well preserved because it was buried under the sand.

According to studies, Khan's failed attempts to invade Japan were due to a storm and "kamikaze" divine winds that destroyed much of the fleet around Takashima Island.

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