May 27 (News On Japan) - Japan, a nation long defined by its insular geography and maritime surroundings, has a rich yet often overlooked history of naval warfare.
From repelling foreign invasions to enforcing national seclusion, Japanese warriors relied not only on swords and land tactics but also on their ability to command the seas. Stretching from the late 1100s to the late 1800s, the story of samurai warships and naval battles reveals a parallel legacy to their more familiar land-based exploits.
While popular media has largely focused on samurai battles on horseback or in castle sieges, naval warfare played a critical role in shaping Japan’s feudal era. Understanding how these warriors constructed their ships, devised maritime strategies, and engaged in sea battles reveals an expansive dimension of samurai power that evolved over centuries.
English-language sources on the subject remain limited, but research by Japanese historians sheds light on key developments. Early naval encounters during the Genpei War of the late Heian period and the Mongol invasions of the 13th century marked foundational episodes. However, it was not until the Sengoku period that the full development of Japanese warships emerged. During this era of civil war, samurai clans began constructing increasingly large and complex vessels, which they used not only to fight domestic rivals but also to confront naval forces from neighboring Korea, particularly during the Imjin War.
Piracy also played a pivotal role in Japan's maritime history. For centuries, Japanese pirates—known as wako or wako—dominated East Asian waters, often shaping how foreign powers perceived Japan. In fact, these pirates were among the first Japanese individuals to make contact with outsiders. Their activities, ranging from trade and transport to outright raiding, eventually provoked Korea to launch a military expedition against Tsushima Island in 1419. The prominence of pirate groups during the medieval era has led some scholars to view piracy as a central force in the development of Japan’s maritime capabilities.
Historian Peter Shapinsky, in his book Lords of the Sea: Pirates, Violence, and Commerce in Late Medieval Japan, argues that pirates represented one of Japan's primary faces to the world. Their integration into global maritime networks allowed Japan to play a role in early international trade and military exchanges.
Although piracy warrants its own in-depth study, the current focus is on the broader arc of naval evolution. This includes not only domestic conflicts but also engagements with foreign powers. While comprehensive documentation of warship designs is limited—many original vessels no longer exist—later artistic renderings and historical records provide clues to the form and function of these early craft.
Japanese warships were commonly referred to as hōsen, though the term wasen broadly applied to boats. The concept of a dedicated warship distinct from cargo or transport vessels began to materialize during the Sengoku period, particularly as clan warfare intensified. The Battle of Dan-no-ura, the climactic naval battle of the Genpei War in 1185, stands as an early example of organized maritime combat, and it remains one of the most iconic engagements in Japanese history.
In modern times, the fascination with this underexplored chapter of military history has found new forms. Among them is the tabletop strategy game Pirates: Constructible Strategy Game (CSG), first released by WizKids in the early 2000s. The game allows players to construct ships from punch-out cards and engage in naval battles using different fleets and crew members. Although discontinued in 2008, a dedicated online community led by figures like "Pirates with Ben" has kept the game alive, even developing new sets based on historical themes.
One recent addition is the Seas of Japan set, which introduces ships and characters from the Tokugawa shogunate, blending historical accuracy with game mechanics. This release not only revives interest in the game but also introduces a wider audience to the complexities of samurai naval warfare in an accessible format.
While much of Japan’s naval past remains shrouded in limited records and under-researched sources, ongoing scholarly efforts and creative reinterpretations continue to shed light on this neglected facet of samurai history. Whether through academic work or strategic tabletop games, the story of how Japan's warriors once ruled the waves is finding its place once again in the broader narrative of Japanese history.
Source: The Shogunate
