일본군 기록으로 본 울산성 전투와전투 직후 일본군의 동향

Abstract

The Siege of Ulsan was one of the largest battles during the Jeongyu Jaeran. This battle went on for more than ten days, with the allied forces of Ming and Joseon besieging Katō Kiyomasa's Ulsan Castle, which did not end up falling. The Ming military commanders were punished for failing to capture the fortress. Although the Japanese army succeeded in defense, they were reprimanded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi for their passive stance after the battle. The political conflicts caused by the Siege of Ulsan affected the political dynamics of the countries involved for some time. This study explores the aftermath of this battle and closely investigates the experiences and records of the Japanese army directly involved in the battle within Ulsan Castle. The Japanese army suffered significant losses due to the unexpected attack by the allied forces of Ming and Joseon. Later, the Japanese army was besieged, starved, and suffered from fear and pain as a result of their captivity. The Ming and Joseon forces eventually abandoned their siege and retreated ; however, both the Japanese army inside the fortress and their reinforcements gave up on chasing them. However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi posed a greater threat to the Japanese army than the horrors of the battlefield. Immediately after the battle, the Japanese soldiers hurried to offer explanations for their failures and errors in the battle. After the suggestion to reduce the frontlines provoked Hideyoshi's wrath, most soldiers began to silently follow his orders without resistance throughout the seemingly never-ending war. Those participating in wars tend to experience similar emotions as human beings, regardless of time and place. Yet they may act beyond their natural emotions, depending on their specific circumstances. Except for a few who chose to actively rebel by running away, why did most of the Japanese soldiers follow Hideyoshi's orders and commands? Furthermore, why did some of them proudly record such brutal violence rather than feeling resistance to it? Exploring these questions may shed light on the true nature of the Japanese invasions of Joseon known as the Imjin War.