1. Introduction.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Joseon(Korea 朝鮮） expedition or Bunroku Keicho no Eki (1592-1598) refers to two military expeditions conducted by the Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi against Joseon. These campaigns were divided into the Bunroku-no-Eki (1592-1596) and Keicho-no-Eki (1597-1598).
2. Descriptions in Chinese historical books
In Chinese historiography, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign against Joseon, especially the “Battle of Joseon” (万暦朝鮮之役) or “Battle of Joseon” (萬曆朝鮮之役), is described as “the battle of Joseon” (朝鮮國). This war, recorded as the Imjin War, is described in detail as an important event in the history books of the Ming dynasty.
Below is a more detailed description of the background, course of the war, major battles, and post-war effects.
3. Background
Ming Dynasty’s Position and Response
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was a powerful empire in East Asia, serving as a suzerain state over neighboring countries.
Joseon was a tributary state of the Ming Dynasty, and the Joseon Dynasty received royal titles from the Ming and maintained a tributary relationship with the Ming. The Japanese invasion of Joseon was a serious situation that the Ming Dynasty had to deal with in order to protect its influence and prestige.
4. The Course of the War
The Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592-1596)
1. Invasion of Japanese forces:
- In April 1592, a Japanese army of about 150,000 troops landed on the Korean peninsula under the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Japanese quickly advanced and occupied Hanseong (Seoul漢城). This rapid advance caused the collapse of Joseon’s defense system.
2. Ming Dynasty’s Initial Response:
- At Joseon’s request, the Ming dispatched a small force in the early stages of the war, but as the situation worsened, the Ming decided to intervene in earnest, and by the end of 1592, a large force led by Ming commander-in-chief Yi Ru-song(李如松) arrived in Joseon.
3. Battle of Pyeongyang平壌:
- In January 1593, the Ming forces led by Ri Ryeosong(李如松) engaged the Japanese forces in Pyeongyang. The Ming forces used gunpowder and weapons to defeat the Japanese and recaptured Pyeongyang. This battle was the first major victory for the Ming forces. 4.
4. Recapture of Hanseong漢城:
- Following the recapture of Pyeongyang, the combined forces of the Ming and Joseon armies launched a campaign to retake Hanseong, which was once again under Joseon control in February 1593.
5. Negotiation of truce:
- From 1593 to 1596, as the war reached a stalemate, ceasefire negotiations took place. Ming diplomats negotiated with the Japanese, but both sides could not agree on their demands, and in the end, no definitive agreement was reached.
Keicho no Eki 慶長の役 (1597-1598)
1.Renewed invasion and warfare:
- In 1597, after negotiations for a truce had failed, Hideyoshi ordered another invasion of the Korean peninsula. This second invasion, known as the Keicho War, was followed by many battles as in the Bunroku War. Ming once again dispatched a large force, but the war was at a stalemate.
2. Rolyang Battle 露梁海戦:
- Joseon Admiral Yi Sun-sin李舜臣 and Ming naval forces worked together to threaten the Japanese naval supply lines at sea, and at the Battle of Roryang 露梁海戦 in 1598, the allied forces defeated the Japanese fleet and established their superiority at sea.
3. Japanese retreat:
- In August 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, after which it was decided that the Japanese forces would withdraw completely from Joseon. In December of the same year, the remaining Japanese forces completed their withdrawal.
5. Postwar Impact
Impact on the Ming Dynasty 明
The war placed a heavy economic burden on the Ming Dynasty, putting pressure on the nation’s finances. During the war, the Ming deployed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and vast amounts of supplies, which was one of the factors that accelerated the decline of the Ming Dynasty. After the war, the Ming faced internal rebellions and external invasions, and was destroyed by the Qing清 in 1644.
Impact on Joseon 朝鮮
Joseon suffered tremendous damage from the war. Many cities and farming villages were destroyed and the population was greatly reduced. Cultural assets and crafts were looted, and many technicians and craftsmen were deported to Japan. After the war, it took a long time for Joseon to recover, but relations with Ming Dynasty were maintained and the country was able to once again enter an era of peace.
Impact on Japan 日本
In Japan, the exhaustion of war became apparent after the death of Hideyoshi. Many soldiers returned home, and the domestic economy was exhausted. After Hideyoshi’s death, Tokugawa Ieyasu seized power and established the Edo shogunate. The Edo Shogunate avoided foreign wars and adopted a policy of seclusion to maintain domestic stability.
6. Specific Description
Chinese history books, especially “Ming Shi” and “Jitsuroku of the Joseon Dynasty” are very detailed.
Description in “History of Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty chronicles the course of this war in detail in the “History of the Ming Dynasty” as the “Battle of Joseon in Banreki(万暦). This war, which took place during the reign of the Ming emperor Banreki Emperor万暦帝 (Shinso神宗), is described mainly in terms of Ming military intervention and diplomatic responses. In particular, the activities of Ming generals such as Yi Yeo-song李如松 and Yang Khao楊鎬 are emphasized.
Description in the Jitsuroku of the Joseon Dynasty
The Jitsuroku of the Joseon Dynasty records the course of the war in detail from the perspective of Joseon. The war, which took place during the reign of King 宣祖(Senso,Seonjo) of Joseon, emphasizes the resistance of Joseon’s righteous soldiers and the achievements of Yi Sun-sin李舜臣(Ri shun-sin). It also describes in detail how aid from the Ming Dynasty was provided.
7. Conclusion.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasion of Joseon in Chinese history books is described as the “Manrye Joseon no Yakuwari,” a war in which the Ming Dynasty aided Joseon and defeated the Japanese forces.
This war had a major impact on international relations in East Asia and left a deep mark on the history of the region.
The description of this war from a Chinese perspective emphasizes its sense of suzerain responsibility and military victory, making it an important source for understanding the changing balance of power in East Asia in the postwar period.
NB.
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