The Battle of Noryang, also known as the Noryang Battle, Battle of Noryang Strait, Noryang Sea Battle, Noryang conflict, Yi Sun-sin’s last battle, or 1598 Noryang campaign, stands as a defining moment in 16th-century naval battles and East Asian warfare. Fought during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), part of the broader Imjin War, this engagement marked the final clash of the conflict. Led by the legendary Yi Sun-sin of the Joseon Kingdom navy and Chen Lin of the Ming Dynasty fleet, the Ming-Joseon alliance achieved a decisive victory against Shimazu Yoshihiro’s Japanese forces.
This article delves into the time and date, location, causes, course, casualties, and outcome of the Battle of Noryang, shedding light on its significance in Korean military history and the anti-Japanese resistance.
Time and Date of the Battle
The Battle of Noryang took place in the early morning of December 16, 1598, corresponding to November 19 in the lunar calendar, and continued past dawn. This timing coincided with the waning days of the Imjin War, as Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s death on September 18, 1598, prompted a Japanese withdrawal. The battle’s duration, lasting from approximately 2:00 AM until daylight, underscored its intensity as a critical Noryang 1598 engagement, marking the end of seven years of conflict.
Location of the Battle
The Battle of Noryang occurred in the Noryang Strait, a narrow waterway off the southwestern coast of the Joseon Kingdom, near modern-day South Jeolla Province. The strait, flanked by Namhae Island to the south and the mainland to the north, provided a strategic choke point. Nearby, the Suncheon wajō and Sach’on wajō, Japanese fortresses, played key roles, with the allied fleet positioned west of the strait to intercept Shimazu Yoshihiro’s fleet en route from Sach’on wajō to link with Konishi Yukinaga at Suncheon wajō. The proximity to Pusan Harbor, the Japanese evacuation point, added urgency to the Noryang Strait ambush. The rugged coastal terrain and tidal conditions shaped Korean naval tactics, making the location a natural battleground.
Causes of the Conflict
The Battle of Noryang stemmed from the broader context of the Japanese invasions of Korea, initiated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to conquer Korea as a stepping stone to Ming China. Several specific causes fueled this final confrontation:
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Death: His demise in 1598 dismantled Japanese unity, leading the Council of Five Elders to order a retreat, prompting Japanese daimyo like Shimazu Yoshihiro and Konishi Yukinaga to evacuate their forces.
- Japanese Retreat Logistics: With Japanese wajō fortresses under pressure from the Ming-Joseon coalition, Konishi Yukinaga’s 14,000 troops at Suncheon wajō faced a blockade, necessitating a breakout attempt supported by Shimazu Yoshihiro’s fleet.
- Yi Sun-sin’s Resolve: After victories like the Battle of Myeongnyang, Yi Sun-sin vowed to prevent any Japanese escape, rejecting Chen Lin’s initial suggestion to lift the blockade or target weaker fortresses like Namhae Island’s wajō.
- Ming-Joseon Alliance Tensions: Konishi Yukinaga’s bribery attempts on Chen Lin strained the alliance, but Yi Sun-sin’s strategy ensured a unified stand against the retreating Japanese.
- Disrupted Supply Lines: The Joseon naval victory in prior battles had severed Japanese logistics, making the Noryang Strait a critical point for their survival.
This convergence of factors set the stage for a climactic Imjin War end battle.
Course of the Battle
The Battle of Noryang unfolded as a meticulously planned Noryang Strait ambush, showcasing Yi Sun-sin’s final battle brilliance. With approximately 150 ships—82 Panokseon ships from the Joseon Kingdom navy and 65 from the Ming Dynasty fleet, including six war junks and two Turtle Ships—the allied force of nearly 16,000 men faced Shimazu Yoshihiro’s 500-ship fleet carrying 20,000 Japanese troops. The battle progressed in distinct phases.
Prelude and Positioning
On December 15, 1598, Shimazu Yoshihiro’s fleet, uncertain of allied intentions, massed east of the Noryang Strait to relieve Konishi Yukinaga’s besieged Suncheon wajō. Yi Sun-sin, informed by scouts and fishermen, positioned the Ming-Joseon coalition west of the strait, leveraging its narrowness for a surprise attack. Chen Lin commanded the larger Ming squadron, while Yi Sun-sin led with his flagship, a Panokseon ship.
Initial Engagement
At 2:00 AM on December 16, the battle erupted as the allied fleet, using Korean cannon fire, bombarded the Japanese vanguard. Yi Sun-sin’s strategy employed a pincer movement, with Turtle Ships disrupting Japanese formations. The Japanese, reliant on Japanese arquebus and boarding tactics, struggled against the allied range advantage.
Height of the Battle
As dawn approached, Chen Lin ordered melee combat when his flagship was threatened, allowing Japanese arquebusiers to inflict casualties. Yi Sun-sin, directing from his flagship, was struck by a stray Japanese arquebus bullet, piercing his armor and fatally wounding him. Despite this, he ordered his death concealed, with Captain Song Hui-rip taking command. The Ming Dynasty support, including Deng Zilong’s squadron, pressed the attack, though Deng later perished in friendly fire.
Japanese Retreat and Konishi’s Escape
By dawn, the allied fleet had destroyed or captured over half of Shimazu Yoshihiro’s 500 ships, forcing a retreat toward Pusan Harbor. Konishi Yukinaga, aware of the battle, bypassed it via Namhae Island’s southern route, escaping with his troops. The Japanese naval defeat left their supply lines shattered, leading to the abandonment of all wajō.
Aftermath on the Battlefield
The allied pursuit continued, but Yi Sun-sin’s death marked a somber victory. His son, Yi Hoe, donned his father’s armor to maintain morale, ensuring the fleet’s resolve until the Japanese withdrew completely by December 24, 1598.
Casualties
The Battle of Noryang exacted a heavy toll, though precise figures vary. Estimates suggest:
- Japanese Forces: Approximately 8,500–10,000 killed or wounded, with 200–300 ships destroyed or captured. Some sources claim only 50–200 of Shimazu Yoshihiro’s 500 ships reached Pusan Harbor, reflecting the Japanese naval defeat.
- Ming-Joseon Coalition: Around 200–300 casualties, including Yi Sun-sin and Deng Zilong. The Joseon naval victory came at the cost of light losses, thanks to Korean naval tactics.
- Civilians: Minimal direct impact, though coastal communities suffered from earlier war effects.
The battle’s intensity, amplified by naval blockade efforts, underscored its role in the Imjin War end.
Who Won the Battle of Noryang?
The Battle of Noryang was won by the Ming-Joseon alliance, led by Yi Sun-sin and Chen Lin. Despite Yi Sun-sin’s final battle ending with his death, the coalition’s Noryang Strait ambush decimated Shimazu Yoshihiro’s fleet, preventing a link-up with Konishi Yukinaga and forcing a Japanese retreat. The Joseon naval victory secured the Imjin War end, with the Japanese daimyo abandoning their wajō fortresses by late December 1598. While Konishi Yukinaga escaped, the strategic loss of naval power and supply lines sealed Japan’s defeat, crediting the Korean military history with a triumphant close.
Conclusion
The Battle of Noryang (December 16, 1598) in the Noryang Strait marked the culmination of the Japanese invasions of Korea during the Imjin War. Under Yi Sun-sin’s strategy, the Joseon Kingdom navy and Ming Dynasty fleet executed a masterful Noryang Strait ambush, overcoming Shimazu Yoshihiro’s 500 ships with a force of 150. Despite Yi Sun-sin’s last battle ending in his heroic death, the Ming-Joseon coalition achieved a decisive Joseon naval victory, driving the Japanese retreat and ending the conflict. With 8,500–10,000 Japanese casualties against minimal allied losses, this Noryang 1598 engagement highlighted Korean naval tactics and Ming Dynasty support, cementing its legacy in East Asian warfare and anti-Japanese resistance.
