Post by Hachiman Taro on Dec 21, 2004 18:35:59 GMT -5
I was wondering what the date of YSS' last battle was. The reason is that the (English language) Korean history book I've been reading gives a very different date for this battle (while describing it pretty much the way it was depicted in the show). The history I'm reading gives the date of the battle as late (presumably December, as it said to be "winter") 1597, whereas the show gives the date as late 1598. The significance of the one year in terms of historical developments is large. In the show, the late 1598 date means Hideyoshi is already dead, the Japanese invasion forces are trying to find a way back to Japan, while the Ming and Korean officials wrangle over whether to grant peace or exterminate the remaining Japanese. In contrast, if the date given in the history I'm reading is correct, then YSS would have died before Hideyoshi and the withdrawal of Japanese forces that followed. In fact the late 1597 date would also precede one of the most horrific (land) battles of the war in late 1598, the one that concluded with the Japanese sending the pickled ears of 38000 Ming and Korean troops back to Kyoto. The history I'm reading describes YSS' final battle as a resounding victory for YSS, and concludes by saying (of YSS) "He died in the battle at the age of fifty-four, but he had regained control of the southern seas for Korea." The Japanese history book account doesn't note this particular battle nor the date, but the conclusion of the author is essentially that YSS was the difference maker in the war because his victories gave the Koreans naval superiority and cut off Japanese supplies. The author goes on to state that the YSS stinging defeats of the Japanese navy would spur serious upgrading of the Japanese navy in the years following the war.
Two English language histories I've read (one a Japanese history and this Korean history) state that peace negotiations and withdrawal of Japanese troops followed quickly after Hideyoshi's death (Sept. 1598), news of which reached the invasion forces about a month later (Oct. 1598). The negotiations were apparently mediated by So Yoshitomo, the daimyo who ruled Tsushima Island (in the straits between Korea and Japan), and who was trusted by the Koreans (having in earlier years negotiated with them to help suppress the activites of Japanese pirates who frequently raided the Korean coasts); his clan would continue to control relations and trade between the two countries for the next 200 years or so.
So, what have others read, as far as the chronology of YSS' last battle goes?
Other historical tidbits mentioned in the Korean history book I'm reading include mention of YSS being removed from command and jailed in early 1597 owing feuding in the court, and of Won Kyun taking over naval command and nearly getting the Korean fleet wiped out (whereupon YSS is sent back to the front). The Japanese history book doesn't mention Won Kyun by name, but mentions his disastrous defeat and says "Part of the credit for this victory should go to the Korean admiral, who was frequently drunk, and part to Konishi, who at this time was holding a naval command." Another interesting note mentioned in the Korean history book is that, because of factional rivalries in the Korean negotiating mission to Japan (prior to the invasion), the Korean government didn't fully realize that Hideyoshi really did intend to invade. The one individual who apparently had the foresight to urge military preparations against likely Japanese aggression was Yu Songnyong, who is also credited for recommending YSS for command. Isn't this the "bookworm" character from the childhood scenes? VIB, you mentioned that the Kyun/YSS friendship in childhood was a dramatic fabrication of the show. Is the childhood connection with Songnyong similarly dramatized? His dates of birth given in the book would indicate he was 55 at the time of YSS' death or a year older.
Two English language histories I've read (one a Japanese history and this Korean history) state that peace negotiations and withdrawal of Japanese troops followed quickly after Hideyoshi's death (Sept. 1598), news of which reached the invasion forces about a month later (Oct. 1598). The negotiations were apparently mediated by So Yoshitomo, the daimyo who ruled Tsushima Island (in the straits between Korea and Japan), and who was trusted by the Koreans (having in earlier years negotiated with them to help suppress the activites of Japanese pirates who frequently raided the Korean coasts); his clan would continue to control relations and trade between the two countries for the next 200 years or so.
So, what have others read, as far as the chronology of YSS' last battle goes?
Other historical tidbits mentioned in the Korean history book I'm reading include mention of YSS being removed from command and jailed in early 1597 owing feuding in the court, and of Won Kyun taking over naval command and nearly getting the Korean fleet wiped out (whereupon YSS is sent back to the front). The Japanese history book doesn't mention Won Kyun by name, but mentions his disastrous defeat and says "Part of the credit for this victory should go to the Korean admiral, who was frequently drunk, and part to Konishi, who at this time was holding a naval command." Another interesting note mentioned in the Korean history book is that, because of factional rivalries in the Korean negotiating mission to Japan (prior to the invasion), the Korean government didn't fully realize that Hideyoshi really did intend to invade. The one individual who apparently had the foresight to urge military preparations against likely Japanese aggression was Yu Songnyong, who is also credited for recommending YSS for command. Isn't this the "bookworm" character from the childhood scenes? VIB, you mentioned that the Kyun/YSS friendship in childhood was a dramatic fabrication of the show. Is the childhood connection with Songnyong similarly dramatized? His dates of birth given in the book would indicate he was 55 at the time of YSS' death or a year older.