482 Houjou Tokimune The great Mongol army struck again in the 4th year of Kouan (1281). It was divided into two contingents. One, consisting of 40,000 men, attacked from the Korean Peninsula. The other, a total of 100,000 men, advanced from the Yanzi River of China. The forces swiftly advanced to Kyuushuu from north and south. The Japanese retaliated. Based on the experience of the 11th year of the Bun'ei era (1274), the Japanese decided to prevent them from landing, and stationed themselves behind stone-barriers built along the shoreline. Unable to land, the enemy floated on battleships for a few days. From the night of the 30th of the 7th month to the morning of the first day of the intercalary 7th month, a tremendous storm hit Kyuushuu. Most of the ships capsized and numerous Mongol soldiers drowned. Whoever managed to swim ashore were killed by the Japanese army, and the entire Mongolian army was wiped out. About Fan Wenhu, Mongolian Commander-in-Chief of this second campaign, the biography section of History of Yuan records: "Wenfu also fell into the sea and floated for a day and a night. Fortunately he hung onto a piece of ship wood and return alive. However, his men, more than 100,000, were killed by the Japanese army and only three escaped and returned to the homeland." In the wars against the Mongolians during the Bun'ei and Kouan eras, the violent storms saved Japan. This was possible because the Japanese army prevented the enemy from landing, which forced them to stay at sea, and under the great wind their ships keeled over and sank. Furthermore, the records of the houses of Kyuushuu describe the fierceness of the ensuing fights after the typhoon of the 4th year of the Kouan era (1281). These brave warriors belonged to the Junior Assistant Governor of the Government Headquarters in Kyuushuu, as well as to the clans of Ohtomo, Shimazu, Akizuki, Kikuchi, Takezaki, Kouno, Oh'yano and so on. Even mighty Yuan had had enough sfter two defeats, and gave up. Yuan could conquer any kingdom on the European and the Asian continents, which then was the entire world. Yet Japan remained unconquered. One reason was geographical, Japan being isolated in the sea. But we should not forget the bravery of the warriors, who fearlessly fought against a massive enemy. And the reason for that was the firm attitude of the imperial court and the Bakufu. At the imperial court, Retired Emperor Kameyama prayed to the Grand Shrine of Ise pledging that he wuold dedicate his life in the face of this national emergency. This is recorded in a work titled The Clear Mirror (Masukagami; 14th century). We know his intentions through the following poems: "It is spring in the capital, with blooming cherry blossoms. At dawn I pray: 'For the sake of the country, may the wind subside, and peace prevail.'" "Japan will prosper, if we vow to endeavor. For ours is a divine country, protected by the Gods." "Our land of iron was created by the powerful Gods of antiquity. With their markings, this land will forever remain solid." "Cherry blossoms scatter away, as though they no concern. Is it that they are ignorant of how I am ready to offer my life ?" "The flickering flames of justice, about to die out in this world, I shall keep them going, over my own life." "My heart resolves that for the world, I will sacrifice myself. may the powerful Gods see it, and shine their benevolent light." The draft of the reply to Yuan which Sugawara no Naganari was ordered to cpmpose, shows that the imperial court had great confidence about the heart of the Japanese nation, and was passionately dedicated to it. The central figure in the Bakufu at this time was of course Houjou Tokimune. He became Regent at age 18, and in the 11th year of the Bun'ei era (1274), he had just turned 24. In the 4th year of the Kouan era (1281), he was still only 31 years old. Yet he took on the responsibility of defending the nation. Totally unshaken, he was victorious in the end, even though he faced an enormous enemy which covered the coast of Japan. In the aftermath, it seems like a minor incident, but at that time it must have been extremely serious. Houjou Tokimune invited virtuous Zen Buddhist monks from China and took them in as his spiritual mentors. In China, the Song Dynasty was taken over by Yuan and the conflicts continued. For this reason important people gladly accepted invitations to Japan, and became consultants. Monk Shounen came in the 6th year of Bun'ei era (1269) and preached to Houjou Tokimune: "Do not try to discern; do not evade." Monk Shouen meant that one should not try to choose one course over another, using only intellect. Secondly, he taught that one should never step aside; a major offensive from a strong enemy must be faced head on, and confronted with force. Houjou Tokimune took the advice. The records show that that he never tried to avoid the major wars. In the 12th month of the first year of the Kouan era (1278), Houjou Tokimune sent two Japanese Zen monks to China to search out more eminent monks. Monk Sogen was their choice. Houjou Tokimune requested Sogen to come directry to Kamakura, without meeting anyone on the way, and Sogen accepted. Previously, Sogen had suffered the violence inflicted by the Yuan soldiers in China. At that time they broke into Sogen's temple and held a sword against his neck. Fearlessly, he recited a poem. The last two lines were: "I value highly the sword of Yuan that is three shaku (90 cm) long. So behead me, as I sit for the slashing in the spring wind." Taken aback, the soldiers apologized and ran away. This superb monk came to Kamakura. In the 4th year of the Kouan era (1281), just before the second invasion by Yuan, Houjou Tokimune visited Sogen. Sogen instructed him: "Do not brood." Asked what this meant, the monk answered: "At the end of the spring or in the beginning of summer, there may be a disturbance in Hakata. But do not be concerned, it will settle down shortly." Sogen had sensed the second invasion. And his teaching was similar to that given by the previous Chinese monk Shounen: put simply, do not worry. A Commander-in Chief must never become alarmed, or frightened. The most important member of a ship's crew is the captain; in an airplane, the chief pilot, and in the Bakufu, it was thr Regent. During these two national crises, it was Japan's good fortune that Houjou Tokimune was the Regent. For nine generations, staring with Houjou Tokimasa and ending with Houjou Takatoki, unscrupulous characters occupied this position. But Houjou Tokimune stands out as the one who tried to atone for the crimes committed by the Houjou clan. In the face of such danger, he performed his responsibility of defending the nation well. We recall that the strength of the Genji clan lay in honoring the imperial court and maintaining military training, while their weakness was cruelty and blood-lust. As for the Houjou clan, they similar traits, except reverence for t he imperial court. The Houjou inherited savagery and the preservation of military training from the Genji. However, Houjou Tokimune single-handedly contributed to the welfare of Japan. He had been wrong to execute his younger brother, but repelling the Yuan invasion must be regarded as distinguished service for the nation.

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