Chronicle Chronicle The Japanese Pirates Invade Goryeo 1351–1359
Page (1/3)
1351
November,
On the day of Renzi, Japanese pirates raided Nanhai County.
1352
First month,
The Commander for Suppressing Japanese Pirates, Jin Hui-nan, led twenty-five warships to resist the Japanese at Maple Island. Encountering twenty enemy ships, they withdrew without battle. Upon reaching Jodong, they saw a great number of pirate ships and returned to the Western River to request reinforcements.
Third month,
The Japanese massacred the inhabitants of Bayan Island.
On the day of Bingchen, the Ruichou Garrison captured a Japanese ship and destroyed it, presenting two prisoners.
On the day of Jiyou, a large number of Japanese ships arrived at Jin Hui-nan; with too few troops to resist, he retreated to the Western River. An urgent call for reinforcements was sent to all commanders, and Hu Chi was dispatched with troops to the Western River, Jia Mountain, and Jodong to prepare defenses. Women wept bitterly in the streets, and the capital was thrown into panic. All officials and households were levied for military provisions and arrows, with the amounts varying.
On the day of Gengshen, the Japanese set fire to the granaries at Jodong and Jia Mountain. The former Vice Minister, Cui Yuan, fought and captured two enemy ships.
On the day of Bingyin, Japanese pirates raided Maotouliang in Jeolla Province. Jin Hui, the official in charge of Yizhou, led the navy to attack but failed.
June,
Japanese pirates raided Gangneung Province.
Autumn, seventh month,
On the day of Renshen, the Chief Inspector of Jeolla Province captured two Japanese ships.
On the day of Dingchou, a Japanese ship was captured and ordered to be exhibited at Dongchi.
On the day of Dinghai, the Commander of Hapu presented captured Japanese.
On the day of Dingmao, the Commander for Suppressing Japanese Pirates led one thousand imperial guards and sailors from both the Eastern and Western Rivers and Jodong to resist the Japanese. Because of delay and lack of progress, he was imprisoned.
September,
More than fifty Japanese ships raided Hapu.
1353
September,
On the day of Guiyou, the Commander of Hapu in Gyeongsang Province presented eight Japanese prisoners.
1354
April,
The Japanese plundered more than forty grain transport ships in Jeolla Province.
Page (1/3)
Page (2/3)
June,
Jeolla Province presented captured Japanese.
November,
On the day of Yihai, the Chief Inspector of Jeolla Province, Shin Jung-jeon, presented Japanese prisoners.
1355
March,
On the day of Gengzi, Japanese pirates raided Jeolla Province.
April,
On the day of Xinsi, the Japanese plundered over two hundred grain transport ships in Jeolla Province.
1356
May,
On the day of Wuzi, Japanese pirates attacked Jodong, and the capital declared martial law.
September,
On the day of Wuxu, the Japanese entered Shengtian Prefecture and Xingtian Temple, taking away the portraits of King Chungseon and Princess Jin of Korea.
On Renxu, the Supreme General Yi Yunmu and General Yi Mengguda were dispatched to pursue the Japanese pirates.
On Yichou, Japanese pirates invaded Jodong. Yi Yunmu and Yi Mengguda, showing cowardice and refusing to fight, were imprisoned and inspected by military officers.
1357
March,
On the day of Jiyou, Japanese pirates attacked Jiao Mountain garrison and burned over three hundred ships.
April,
On the day of Xinsi, the Grand General Choi Young was appointed Inspector-General for Japanese Pirates of Yangguang and Jeolla Provinces. He was instructed that anyone unable to repel the enemy would be punished according to military law.
On the day of Dingyou, Japanese pirates raided Hanzhou and the granaries of Zhencheng. The Border Defense Commissioner of Jeolla Province, Gao Yongxian, requested relocating coastal granaries inland, and the request was granted.
When the Japanese reached Zhaoliang, the Deputy Director of the Privy Council, Yi Chunfu, was appointed Defense Commissioner. All commanders were ordered to rush to the Eastern and Western Rivers, with Deputy Magistrate Zheng Zhixiang assigned as inspector.
On the day of Wushen, Japanese pirates invaded Mianzhou and Longcheng. Our forces engaged and captured two enemy ships.
On the day of Xinhai, the Japanese burned Jodong. Martial law was declared in the capital, and the inhabitants of Fangli were conscripted as soldiers.
Page (2/3)
Page (3/3)
June,
On the day of Yimei, the Border Defense Commissioner of Jeolla Province presented eight Japanese prisoners.
July,
On the day of Xinhai, the Chief Councilor reported: “Yu Yihuan, Commander-in-Chief of Jeolla Province, fought the Japanese and killed or captured dozens; Niu Chengji, Commander-in-Chief of Gyeongsang Province, and County Magistrate Wei Liangyong fought the Japanese and killed or captured seven. I request their promotion.” The King approved.
On the day of Renxu, Japanese pirates invaded Qianmao Port and burned the grain transport ships of Jeolla Province. At that time, the Japanese pirates were a major threat, causing the suspension of grain shipments. Six Han Chinese, including Zhang Renfu, were each appointed as a Chief Conductor, given Tang ships, and one hundred fifty soldiers each to transport Jeolla’s tax grain. The enemy, taking advantage of the wind, set fire to the ships, resulting in a heavy defeat and many casualties among our forces.
August,
On the day of Jimao, the Japanese burned Huazhi Bridge.
On the day of Xinchou, Japanese pirates raided Inju.
1358
February,
On the day of Renchen, Japanese pirates raided Hainan County.
March,
On the day of Renzi, the Chief Inspector of Jeolla Province, Hwang Sun, presented four Japanese heads.
May,
On the day of Jihai, Japanese pirates raided Yiseong River.
On the day of Jiyou, the Japanese burned Ongjin County.
On the day of Dingsi, Jeolla Province attacked the Japanese on Buyak Island, capturing over twenty heads.
The Goryeo Dynasty’s economy suffered greatly due to the Japanese pirates. By 1358, financial difficulties reached the point where officials’ salaries could not be paid. Alongside the economic crisis, the military and administration collapsed, and local government agencies ceased functioning.
The Goryeo Dynasty took measures to relocate government warehouses, moving those in coastal regions like Jeolla Province, which were vulnerable to Japanese raids, further inland.
1359
Leap month, on the first day of Bingchen, Japanese pirates attacked Ganghwa, killing over three hundred people and plundering more than forty thousand bushels of rice. A certain Shen Menglong beheaded thirteen Japanese pirates but ultimately died at their hands.
Page (3/3)