Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasions, Volume 2 Sections 5 through 8
The warrior Takezaki Suenaga (b. 1246) from Higo Province (now Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu), marches with his retinue past Kikuchi Takefusa (1245–1285), a powerful warrior from the same province, who is sitting on a defensive wall with his men. As Suenaga passes the wall, he calls upon Takefusa to bear witness to his valor in the imminent clash with the invading Mongols. The Mongols invaded Japan in 1274 and again in 1281. One of Suenaga’s men holds a boat hook, foreshadowing the naval battle soon to come. The names of notable figures are written above their heads, and Suenaga’s name is written in red.
The scrolls were likely commissioned by Suenaga to be an illustrated historical record of his valor and bravery in battle against the Mongols. The scrolls are notable for their contemporary depictions of the invasion, particularly in the detailed renderings of the armor and horses of the warriors.