* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Kono Michiari
河野通有
Commander of Iyo Navy, Hero of the Mongol Invasions
Description
Life and Origins
Kono Michiari (c. 1250–1311) was a warrior of Iyo Province active during the middle to late Kamakura period, serving as head of the Kono clan and a retainer of the Kamakura shogunate. Born around Kencho 2 (1250), he is celebrated as the figure who revived the Kono clan after its serious setback in the Jokyu War.
Role in the Mongol Invasion of 1281
Michiari's name was etched into history during the Koan Campaign of 1281. Leading the Iyo navy to Hakata, he adopted a distinctive formation — placing his warships on the beach seaward of the stone wall (Genko Borui), prepared to engage the Mongol fleet head-on at sea. This stance of no retreat, nicknamed "Kono's Rear Wall," earned wide respect among Kyushu warriors including the Shimazu clan.
Battle of Shika Island and Military Achievements
At the Battle of Shika Island, Michiari and his uncle Kono Michitoki attacked the Mongol fleet. Though Michitoki was killed in the fierce fighting, Michiari boarded enemy vessels despite being wounded by a crossbow bolt, cutting down enemy soldiers and capturing a Mongol commander — an outstanding feat that earned him landholdings in Hizen and Iyo provinces.
Legacy
Michiari's exploits restored much of the Kono clan's former territory lost after the Jokyu War, earning him the title of clan restorer. He was posthumously granted the rank of Junior Fifth Rank in 1916, and remains celebrated in Ehime Prefecture as a local hero.
Notable Swords
- Tachi (Iyo Province, Kamakura period)