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by Yuhan Kim.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 96 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s First Victories Against Japan
Here’s a case of me knowing that Japan invaded Korea in Renaissance times, but of little else. This volume provides the overview of what prompted the invasion and how it went. The two battles are the main naval battles, but other naval battles and ground operations are also described.
As you’d expect, the text covers the design and development of the warships, their weaponry, the uniforms and weaponry of the sailors who manned the ships, and the tactics used in sea battles. After a grounding in the background, the three naval campaigns of Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin versus the Japanese receive attention.
The key was that Adm. Yi gathered his fleet and attacked and defeated scattered and isolated Japanese squadrons. Several sea battles can be translated to the tabletop.
My favorite is the Battle of Danghangpo. It turns out a Korean courtesan believed Japanese “monks” were really spies and so rifled through their belongings. She found a map and altered it to show a strait near Danghangpo instead of it being an inlet. When Yi attacked, the Japanese could not withdraw and instead attacked, falling into an ambush (p51).
A couple typos: “saaw” (p55) is really saw and “eveloping” (also p55) is really enveloping.
The booklet contains 47 color photos, 17 color illustrations, eight color maps, and three color two-page action illustrations.
An enlightening volume.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
