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Off Takashima Island in Japan, archaeologists have identified a new shipwreck dating to the 13th century. According to Archaeology magazine, which cites the Mainichi, the vessel is linked to the Battle of Koan in 1281, during the Yuan dynasty's attempted invasion of the archipelago led by the Mongols. Researchers recovered five dice and 29 small cards used for the game of koppai.
A third wreck found near Takashima
According to Archaeology magazine, which relays information from the Mainichi, a new 13th-century shipwreck has been discovered off Takashima Island. It joins two other vessels already located in the same area, in 2011 and 2015, making this zone a major site for the study of medieval Japanese maritime remains.
The three ships are considered casualties of the Battle of Koan, fought in 1281. The battle belonged to the second Mongol invasion attempt of Japan, launched by the Yuan dynasty founded by Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. The gradual identification of these wrecks now allows ancient accounts to be compared with material evidence that remained hidden under the sea for centuries.
A mother ship at the heart of the fleet
The recently studied vessel measured about 100 feet, or nearly 30 meters, in length. It had living quarters, which leads researchers to believe it was probably the fleet's mother ship, the vessel that served as the logistical base and lodging for crews and, likely, officers.
Ships of this size equipped with accommodations allowed long maritime campaigns far from the coast. Their study therefore sheds light on the organization and logistical means of a large-scale military expedition in the 13th century, when several thousand men had to be fed, housed and coordinated aboard numerous vessels.
Playing cards as witnesses to life on board
Among the recovered objects are five dice and 29 small cards used for koppai, a game originating in China. According to Yoshifumi Ikeda, professor of archaeology at Kokugakuin University, who led the investigation jointly with the city of Matsuura, these cards are considered the precursors of mahjong tiles, the game that later drew heavily on them.
"The koppai cards, considered the precursors of mahjong tiles, were probably used for recreation," the researcher explains. These everyday objects show that, even during a military campaign, men sought distraction during the long waiting periods at sea.
A window onto life in wartime
For archaeologists, these discoveries offer a concrete glimpse of the daily life of combatants. The dice and cards show that crews played games of chance during crossings and idle moments, a detail that written sources rarely record, since chronicles focus mainly on battles and commanders.
According to Yoshifumi Ikeda, these finds "offer insight into life in wartime." The study of these wrecks thus helps complete historical accounts of the Mongol invasion, comparing ancient testimonies with objects brought up from the sea that reveal the ordinary gestures behind major military events.
Takashima's underwater heritage
The wrecks linked to the Battle of Koan now rank among the most important maritime remains of medieval Japan. They are the subject of joint research between academics and local authorities, who ensure their protection and long-term study.
For further reading, Archaeology magazine refers to its article on the great wrecks of Kublai Khan's fleet, published in its series "History's 10 Greatest Wrecks." Readers interested in underwater discoveries can follow how archaeologists reconstruct these naval expeditions from their remains.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Battle of Koan take place?
The Battle of Koan took place in 1281, during the Yuan dynasty's second attempted invasion of Japan. The Mongol and Chinese fleets suffered heavy losses off the archipelago.
What is the game of koppai?
Koppai is a game originating in China, played with cards and dice. According to archaeologists, its cards are considered the precursors of mahjong tiles.
Where are the Mongol shipwrecks of Japan located?
The wrecks were discovered off Takashima Island. Three vessels have been identified there, in 2011, in 2015 and during the most recent investigation campaign.
Who led the study of the shipwreck?
The investigation was led by Yoshifumi Ikeda, professor of archaeology at Kokugakuin University, in collaboration with the city of Matsuura. It made it possible to recover the ship's dice and cards.
Sources
- Playing Cards Found in Mongol Invasion Shipwreck Off Japan — Archaeology Magazine
Original summary written with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited, checked automatically, then translated from the French original. Information and quotations belong to their authors. Read the French original.
