ADMIRAL YI SUN-SIN

A Korean Hero

Japanese UnificationOda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu

Utilized ruthless force, military skill and firearms

from Europe to unite most of Honshu. He was betrayed

and killed in 1580.

Utilized great military skill and diplomacy to pacify resisting Daimyos. He

became military master of Japan by 1590 and died in

1598.

Utilized military and political skill to limit the

power of the Daimyos. 1603 - Granted title of Shogun,

unified Japan and ended the era of “sengoku.”

Japanese Invasion

Hideyoshi wanted to attack China not only because of his vast ego, but also to maintain control of the Daimyo. His rule was based on the sharing of spoils, especially land,

among the powerful samurai lords that comprised Hideyoshi's power base. By 1592, land was a scarce commodity in Japan, and Hideyoshi needed to assault his neighbors in

order to appease his supporters.

Now that I have united Japan, my goal is to

take over Ming China and then India!

Who does Hideyoshi attack in order to get to Ming China?

The Imjin War 1592-1598

Korean officials did not believe that Japan would invade and refused to give Hideyoshi’s army access to China. The peaceful Joseon Dynasty was not

prepared for Japan’s invasion of 160,000 troops and the entire peninsula was quickly overtaken in two months.

Japan’s Ashiguru army had superior numbers, training,

and utilized muskets! The Joseon King fled to the North and all hope seemed to be lost!

The Imjin War 1592-1598

Chinese troops were sent to defend Korea but were no more

than uniformed thugs masquerading as soldiers. One

mark of military success in sixteenth century China was how many heads soldiers could take in

battle. During the Imjin War, badly led and poorly trained

Chinese troops often beheaded innocent Korean civilians in order to drive up their head

counts to win favor with Beijing.

Fun

Fact!

Admiral Yi Sun-sin

The “Kobukson,” or Turtle Ship

•Naval Commander who revived Korean Naval Force.•Improved weapons and invented “Turtle Ships”•Improved discipline and morale of sailors•He won all 23 major naval battles he fought.

Undefeated!

•The prow is shape of dragon’s head and cannon balls are fired through it.•Turtle’s back is covered with iron

spikes.•Arrows and cannon fire can be

launched from every part of ship.•Sailors can see enemy but enemy can

not see them.•Ship can launch continuous attack

Battle of Hansando

The Crane Wing Formation

Yi Sun-sin’s navy sank 47 enemy ships and

captured 12. Only 14 ships escaped!

This Victory cut Japan off from their troops in

Korea and quickly led to Japan’s exit of the

peninsula!

Battle of HansandoJuly 8th , 1592

Film Clip start at 1:57

Major Naval Battles! Battle of MyongnyangSeptember 16th, 1597

•Yi Sun-sin defeated 130 Japanese ships with only 13

Korean ships

• Forced Japanese into small Myongnyang channel

• Spotted dead body of Japanese General and

displayed it from top of mast.

•When tide changed, Japanese ships tried to flee but became tangled in iron ropes placed in

water by Yi.

• 31 Japanese ships sank, 90 damaged – no Korean ships

were lost.

He who seeks death will live, and he

who seeks life will die!”

Yi Sun-sin died at the Battle of Noryang when he was hit by a stray bullet. As he lay

wounded he said, “The battle is at its height, tell no one of my death.” This was the last

battle of the Imjin War.

Results of Imjin WarToyotomi Hideyoshi

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Died in 1598, essentially ending the war. The Japanese

did not occupy Korea but the war left them in ruins.

Tokugawa took over power and focused on consolidating power in Japan. However, Japan benefitted from the Korean scholars, craftsmen,

medicine makers, gold smelters, potters, and printers that were taken as captives.

The war reaffirmed the Ming's status as the

supreme military power in East Asia and affirmed Chinese

willingness to aid in the protection of its

tributary/suzerain states. However, costs left them vulnerable to

Manchus.