Fukuoka: Local authorities plan to construct an exhibition complex dedicated to the massive walls that protected the city from Mongol invasions. This information was provided by MiddleAsianNews.
According to Mayor Takashima, the project aims to preserve and showcase the remnants of the "defensive fortress built during the Mongol invasion" on the site of the former campus.
“We aim to create a space where visitors can learn about the history of the defensive structures erected in response to Mongol attacks and their significance,” he noted.
According to city officials, this fortress was built along the coast of Hakata Bay at the direction of the Kamakura shogunate after the Bun'ei War, when Mongol forces first invaded in 1274.
“The Mongol invasions are significant events for both Fukuoka and all of Japan. We want to create an institution that allows people to learn about the importance of these fortifications,” the mayor added.
Along the coast of Hakata Bay in Fukuoka, a "defensive wall against Mongol attacks" was constructed from stones in preparation for the Mongol dynasty's assault during the Kamakura period. Remnants of this wall were also found at the site of the former Hakodzak University campus.
Despite the remnants of defensive structures being discovered throughout Fukuoka, there has not yet been an institution that allows for a deeper exploration of this important part of history.
The Mongol Empire and the Goryeo dynasty attempted to invade Kyushu in 1274 and 1281, launching attacks from the Korean Peninsula, which was under their control. After the first attack, the Japanese side decided to build a stone rampart along a 20-kilometer coastline in preparation for the next invasion. Eleven sections of this defensive wall have been recognized as national historical monuments.
In the Hakodzak area, where the former Kyushu University campus was located, there are plans to create a covered exhibition complex. During archaeological excavations in 2016, stone structures and other artifacts were discovered. The area of this site, approximately 5400 m², has been declared a national historical monument.
Interactive exhibits using modern visual technologies are planned, and authorities hope that this project will attract interest from visitors, who will be able to learn about other sections of the defensive walls beyond Hakodzak.
