Weather in Japanese History

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an overview of the attempted invasions of the Mongols into the island of Japan in the 13th century. The paper discusses how the weather affected the outcomes of the invasions and the interpretation of the intervention of the weather by the Japanese. The paper also discusses how the use of "kamikazes" by the Japanese in World War II was based on their belief that this tactic could provide the same type of divine intervention that helped them defeat the Mongol armada in 1274 and 1281.

From the Paper:

"The research showed that when the Japanese resorted to "kamikaze" attacks in the closing days of World War II, it was based on their belief that this tactic could provide the same type of divine intervention that helped them defeat the Mongol armada in 1274 and 1281. One of the more interesting issues to emerge from the research was the fact that 13th century Japanese did not regard these events as being the result of a deity using the typhoons as a tool to defeat the Mongols, but rather that the winds themselves were a deity and worthy of being worshipped. The impact of these events have left a highly influential legacy on the Japanese mentality, it would seem, and when people believe that the gods are on their side, anything is possible if not achievable. From this perspective, it is not so hard to understand why so many Japanese pilots volunteered for these suicide missions after all."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gin, Ooi Keat. (2004). "Kamikaze, Cherry Blossoms, and Nationalisms: The Militarization of Aesthetics in Japanese History." The Historian 66(4):861.
• Metevelis, P. (2002). "The Deity and Wind of Ise." Asian Folklore Studies 61(1):1.
• Kuno, Y. S. (1967). Japanese expansion on the Asiatic continent: A study in the history of Japan with special reference to her international relations with China, Korea, and Russia, vol. 1. Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Press.
• Onon, C. (2001). The secret history of the Mongols: The life and times of Chinggis Khan. Richmond, UK: Curzon.
• Sayle, Murray. (2001, March). "Kamikazes Rise Again: This Time, to Help Japan Confront Its Past." The Atlantic Monthly, 287(3):16-17.

More papers on Weather in Japanese History:

• Essay # 42325 : "Foreign Entities in Japanese History"
• Analytical Essay # 89213 : "Japanese History 1800 - 1900"

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