Hakata Bay

Coordinates: 33.6180°N 130.3330°E

Hakata Bay ( 博多湾 , Hakata-wan) is a bay in the

northwestern part of Fukuoka city, on the Japanese island of
Kyūshū. It faces the Tsushima Strait, and features beaches and
a port, though parts of the bay have been reclaimed in the
expansion of the city of Fukuoka. The bay is perhaps most
famous for the Mongol invasions of Japan of 1274 and 1281
which took place nearby; both invasions are sometimes
referred to as the "Battle of Hakata Bay."

Geography
The Bay is defined by shoal Umi-no-nakamichi and tombolo
Shika-no-shima (Shika Island) to the north, and Genkai-jima
(Genkai Island) to the northwest, and the Itoshima Peninsula to
the west. Five wards of Fukuoka city border on the bay, which The city of Fukuoka encircling Hakata
is sometimes labeled "Fukuoka Bay" on maps. Sometimes, the Bay (light blue). The colored areas
bay is divided into Hakata, Fukuoka, and Imazu Bays, though represent the different wards of the city.
for simplicity's sake, the term "Hakata Bay" is commonly used
as a catch-all to refer to all three.

The bay is roughly 10 km from north to south, and 20 km from

east to west, covering an area of roughly 133 km². The
coastline stretches 128 km. The mouth of the bay is only
7.7 km wide, shielding it to a great extent from the waves of
the Strait. The bay is only 10 metres deep on average, 23 m at
its deepest point, though the tides bring a two-metre change in
the water level. Set routes are used, therefore, through the bay,
to protect ships' drafts.

Land reclamation began to be undertaken before the Meiji

View of Hakata Bay from Noko Island.
period, and continued into the post-war period. Since 1945,
Land on the left is Umino Nakamichi
1167 square kilometres of land have been reclaimed from the
bay, primarily to improve or reinforce the effective functioning
of the port. In 1994, an artificial island was begun to be created and called "Island City" ( アイランドシテ
ィ , Airandoshiti).

Some particular petrified trees in the area are said to have been the masts of ships used in Empress Jingū's
third century invasion of Korea. Veins of mica and pegmatite under the bay, part of a geologic fault, are
under governmental protection.

Much of the area is included in the Genkai National Park, and efforts are made to maintain and preserve the
natural features and environment both in the bay and on its islands. Though much of the shoreline is natural,
some parts, particularly in and around the port itself, are artificial and developed upon; the bay's shoreline
was, somewhat crudely, officially designated as natural
wilderness and parkland.

Islands

A number of small islands are contained either within the bay

or around it.

Hashima ( 端島, Ha Island)

Island City (アイランドシティ) View of Hakata Bay and center of
Mishima (御島, Mi Island) Fukuoka City from Noko Island

Noko-no-shima (能古島, Noko Island)

Shika-no-shima (志賀島, Shika Island)
Ugu-shima (鵜来島, Ugu Island)
Hō-jima (宝島, Hō Island)

History
The bay and its surrounding settlements were active and significant locations as early as the 3rd century and
the Kofun period. Many historical figures of great significance passed through or lived in Hakata, and many
major events occurred there. The ruins of Fukuoka Castle lie along the bay, and an active port has existed
there for many centuries.

The area is said to have been recognized by China as early as 57 CE. Emperor Guangwu of Han is
believed to have bestowed a Golden Seal to the local leaders, acknowledging (or granting) their authority
over the area then called Na no kuni ( 奴国 , Na Country or Na Province). Emissaries from the Chinese
kingdom of Cao Wei arrived in the 3rd century, and Empress Jingū is said to have launched her invasion of
Korea from this port. By the 7th century, Hakata was the port through which official missions to T'ang
China were sent and received.

Following the defeat of Yamato (Japan) and Baekche in the battle of Hakusukinoe in 663, fears arose of
invasions from Silla and China, and areas around the bay were fortified. The first mention of the area (by
the name Chikushi) in the Nihon Shoki corresponds to this time period.

Kūkai was one of many famous people who journeyed to China through this port. In 806, he returned to
Japan and founded Tōchō-ji Temple nearby. Sugawara no Michizane, after having been ambassador to
China, and holding a number of other high posts at Court in Kyoto, was demoted to a post in Hakata in
901. Fujiwara no Sumitomo, having opposed Taira no Masakado's rebellion in 939, fled to Hakata two
years later, where he was captured and killed.

As the closest major bay and port to mainland Asia in Japan, Hakata has played a major role in diplomacy
and trade with Korea and China throughout much of history. This also made it, however, a key point of
attack for attempts to invade the Japanese islands. In the Toi Invasion of 1019, Jurchens seized several
nearby islands, using them as bases from which to raid and attack Hakata.

Mongol emissaries first arrived in 1268, and all the samurai armies of Kyūshū was mobilized in anticipation
of the first of the Mongol invasions of Japan, which came six years later. Kublai Khan's forces seized
Tsushima and Iki Island before landing on the shores of Hakata Bay on November 19. The invaders were
eventually repelled, and extensive fortification efforts were undertaken in the ensuing years. The second
invasion arrived in 1281, and was similarly repelled.[1]: 442–450 Though referred to in Japanese as the
battles of Bun'ei and Kōan ( 文永と弘安の役 ), both of these invasion attempts are frequently referred to in
English sources as the "Battle of Hakata Bay."

In April 1336, at Tadara-no-hama on the bay, Ashikaga Takauji led a force against the Kikuchi clan, allies
of Go-Daigo, led by Kikuchi Taketoshi. Victorious, Takauji "at one stroke the Ashikaga leader became
virtually master of Kyushi."[1]

Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier Passed Hakata on the way from Hirado to Kyo.

Through the Edo period (1603-1868), Hakata handled only for domestic trade, as international trade or
travel was forbidden by the Tokugawa shogunate except at designated ports. Hakata reopened to
international trade in 1899. Following the end of World War II, this was one of the primary ports through
which Japanese soldiers and civilian residents of the colonies were repatriated. Hakata remained an
important port throughout the post-war period, and still serves this function today.

References
1. Sansom, George (1961). A History of Japan, 1334-1615. Stanford University Press. p. 47.
ISBN 0804705259.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hakata_Bay&oldid=1065152536"