Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion

A group of exiles are being taken by boat to Tsushima Island when they are caught in a savage storm. They plead for their bonds to be removed, but then take over the boat and commence fighting among themselves. Kuchii Jinzaburō, saves Chō Minpuku, a fellow exile, and then fights to defend himself from other prisoners. He frees the pirate Onitakemaru who raises the mast and helps sail the boat towards Tsushima Island. On arrival, the boatload of exiles and crew are warmly welcomed by Princess Teruhi, but then find they are asked to defend the island against the Mukuri (Mongols). Pressed by Jinzaburō, Teruhi tells them that she had asked the Dazaifu magistrate to send able-bodied prisoners to support her. That night, masked intruders attack and the prisoners free themselves. Kaitani Gontarō tries to fight them off, but the princess is captured. Onitakemaru and then Jinzaburō intervene, Jinzaburō killing all but one of the masked attackers and rescuing Teruhi. The next day, overlooking the slain, Teruhi is distraught at the carnage of war, but Jinzaburō tells her it is just a skirmish. She promises him a reward and asks for his aid. The next day, October 3 of the 11th year of the Bunmei era, Kano reports that a fleet of Mukuri ships are heading for Tsushima Island.

As the surviving Tsushima soldiers retreat, they are confronted by Jinzaburō wearing Tsushima armor who tells them to stop and fight the pursuing Goryeo soldiers. They are reluctant to follow an exile, but when Jinzaburō and some of the other exiles attack the pursuers, the Tsushima soldiers turn and follow them. Obusama Saburō, Shiraishi Kazuhisa and Hitari support the attack, forcing the invaders to fall back and regroup. Jinzaburō insists on pursuing them, however Abiru Yajirō urges caution and does not follow. Meanwhile, the exiles and supporting soldiers are surrounded by the more numerous invading forces, but led by Jinzaburō they manage to break through to their headquarters, slaying their general and his men before returning with the heads of the slain Sō Sukekuni and Umajirō. Teruhi entreats the villagers of Sasu to join them in defending the capital, but Jinzaburō insists on a night raid on the invaders. Abiru Yajirō disagrees and returns to the capital. Using Amushi as a lookout Jinzaburō prepares to lead them on a hit and run raid against the small invading force by moonlight. However they are betrayed by two Sasu villagers, and when villager Ginshichi tries to kill Jinzaburō from behind, Teruhi distracts him and is cut by his sword.

Returning to the capital Teruhi and Jinzaburōs group see the city the distance, in flames after an attack by the Mongols. They find some survivors led by Abiru Yajirō who says that other survivors are scattered throughout the hills. Before they can devise a plan, they are detected by a small group of Mongol scouts and Teruhi fires arrows at them in frustration and anger. Amushi then sees a large force marching towards them, who are led by the Mongul Mingghan Commander, Uriyan Edei. As the survivors head for shelter at Aso Bay, an old woman inspires some soldiers to stop and fight a rearguard action along with the exiles. On the narrow trail, Jinzaburō plans a strategic defense based on his fighting experience. Jinzaburō tells Abiru of his time in Kamakura with Nagoe Tokaiki of the Hōjō clan who told him that playing shogi and war were the same, and to never lose sight of the big picture. He also learned that if you lay down your sword you can never win. Just then, the monguls attack with explosives and charge through the blinding smoke. However, the defending forces led by Jinzaburō recover and decimate the attackers with arrows. Following this experience, Abiru finds newfound resolve and promises to support Jinzaburō.

In a flashback, Emperor Antoku gives the High General of the Genji Forces, Minamoto-no-Kurō-Yoshitune a short sword. Back in the present, the Emperor recognizes the same sword carried by Jinzaburō. Teruhi then arrives and is welcomed by her great-grandfather the Emperor who gives her a message for the Magistrate Nagamine of the Toibarai - to protect Sasu and the capital. Teruhi swears to protect the island, but her Sō clan are unhappy about relying on the Toibarai. When the survivors arrive at Aso Bay, they find the Toibarai women abalone divers have led a small seaborne advance party of Mongols into a trap, killing them all. They also discover that the invaders are composed of many different groups, and these are Jurchen. Teruhi gives Nagamine the message from the Emperor, and he agrees to help her, taking the Sō survivors to their castle, Kanatanoki. First built 600 years earlier, the Sō discover the castle is well-fortified and supplied, however Jinzaburō declares that it is too big to defend with the limited forces they have.

Teruhi entreats her followers to support the Toibarai in their defense of Kanatanoki, although outnumbered almost six to one. They concentrate most of the forces at the main South Gate, while Shiraishi offers to defend the west wall at the rear. Meanwhile Mongol Commander Choukuru speeds to be the first to attack the defenders but runs into a trap laid by Jinzaburou and a small Toibarai force. Choukurus force is drawn to attack the heavily defended South Gate, but are stopped by the experienced defenders. Commander Funbishi then arrives with orders to keep the defenders fully occupied while Commander Ochirubato circles around to the west wall. Meanwhile Shiraishi sends the Toibarai soldiers from the North Gate to the South Gate, allowing the Mongols to scale the wall and enter. However, Ochirubato falls into a trap, and is burned along with his men, giving the impression that the citadel is ablaze. While the Mongols hesitate, Jinzaburou leads a cavalry charge into their midst, almost killing Uriyan Edei who decides to withdraw and focus on their main objective, the conquest of Japan. When the breach at the west wall is discovered, Jinzaburou goes to investigate, and finds the traitor Shiraishi waiting for him.

When asked why he fights for Tsushima Island, Jinzaburou simply answers that there is something worth fighting for. The full force of the Mongol army assaults the main South Gate of the fortress defended by Nagamine and the Toibarai. The Mongols have only until sundown to win the battle before they must set sail for the invasion of the Japanese mainland. Nagamine sends Jinzaburou to reinforce the east wall where Teruhi and a small group are under attack. Soon, the Mongols breach the South Gate and kill Tatsu and Nagamine and the rest of the defenders. With the walls breached, Jinzaburou advises the survivors to retreat and surrender the fortress. He is joined by a small group of Tsushima soldiers and Onitakemaru who returned to the island. The defenders fight a rearguard action, with Dōen and Hitari losing their lives, but allowing at least Teruhi and some others to retreat to the ocean cliffs. However, an explosive fired by the Mongols sends Jinzaburou falling into the water far below.