Arrow from Mongol Invasions Found on Japan's Seabed

An archaeological discovery off the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture has shed new light on the Mongol invasions of Japan during the Kamakura period. Part of an arrow, believed to date back to the Genkō invasions, was found at a seabed site where Mongol ships are thought to have sunk.

Researchers from the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and other institutions are examining the artifact. Preliminary analysis suggests the arrow may have originated from the Southern Song dynasty, a state that was conquered by the Yuan dynasty (Mongol Empire).

This finding supports the theory that the Mongols may have seized weapons from conquered territories, such as the Southern Song, and repurposed them for their campaigns against Japan. The discovery provides valuable clues about the logistical and military strategies employed by the Yuan forces during their attempted invasions in the late 13th century.