Takashima Kōzaki Site, Underwater archaeological site off Takashima Island, Japan
The Takashima Kōzaki Site is an underwater archaeological site off the coast of Takashima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture. It contains ship remains, weapons, and armor that have been recovered through underwater excavations.
In 1281 a powerful typhoon destroyed numerous vessels from Kublai Khan's fleet during the second attempted Mongol invasion of Japan. The storm helped local defenders resist the invading forces.
The recovered objects show how Japanese and Mongol naval forces built and equipped their ships differently. Walking through museum displays reveals the contrasts between these two maritime traditions that met here.
Visitors can see recovered artifacts at the Matsuura City Takashima History and Folk Museum, which is open throughout the year. The museum displays weapons, armor, and ship components recovered from underwater excavations.
This became Japan's first underwater site to receive National Historic Site designation in 2012. This recognition made it a symbol of how archaeology can honor encounters that shaped the nation's past.
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