What does Tsushima mean in Japanese?
Tsushima (対馬) is a Japanese island located in the Korea Strait between Japan and South Korea. The name "Tsushima" comes from the Japanese kanji characters 対馬, which literally mean "facing island".
Overview of Tsushima
Tsushima is a triangular-shaped island about 149 km long from north to south. It has an area of 712 km2 and a population of around 34,000 people as of 2022. The largest city on Tsushima is Izuhara.
Geographically, Tsushima is closer to the Korean Peninsula than the main Japanese island of Kyushu, located about 50 km from Busan, South Korea and 120 km from Fukuoka, Japan. Along with the neighboring island group of Iki, Tsushima is administered as part of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan.
Tsushima has a mild climate. The local economy is based on fishing, agriculture and tourism. Ferries connect Tsushima to other parts of Japan and South Korea. It is also home to Tsushima Airport.
History and Significance of Tsushima
Tsushima has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It marked the boundary between Japan and Korea culturally and politically.
The first written record of Tsushima comes from the 7th century AD when it was mentioned in a log from a Japanese envoy traveling from Japan to the Korean kingdom of Silla.
In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Tsushima became the home base of the Sō clan, who controlled trade and diplomatic relations between Japan, Korea and China for hundreds of years. They served as deputy governors under the Shogun and managed Koreans living in Japan.
Tsushima was also a frequent stopping point for Korean envoys traveling to Japan during this time period. It was a center for cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Mongol Invasions
Tsushima is famous for being the first Japanese territory conquered during the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281.
On both occasions, the Mongol fleets landed on Tsushima before proceeding on to the main island of Kyushu. The Sō clan led the defense of Tsushima alongside other samurai forces and held off the Mongols briefly before being overrun.
After the failure of the Mongol invasions, Tsushima continued to serve as a defensive outpost against possible future attacks from the Asian mainland. The Sō clan rebuilt and maintained fortifications on the island.
Russo-Japanese War
In the early 20th century, Tsushima was the location of the decisive Battle of Tsushima between Japan and Russia. The battle took place on May 27-28, 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War.
The Japanese Combined Fleet under Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō destroyed the Russian Baltic Fleet, leading to Japan‘s victory in the war. This battle demonstrated Japan‘s emergence as a global military power able to defeat European forces.
Today, there are memorials and remnants of old forts from the Russo-Japanese War that attract visitors interested in this history.
Etymology and Meaning of "Tsushima"
The Japanese name "Tsushima" is written in kanji as 対馬, pronounced as "Tsushima" in Japanese.
- 対 – The first character tai/sō means "opposite" or "facing".
- 馬 – The second character ma means "horse".
Together, the term 対馬 connotes an island "facing" a counterpart, or "opposite shore". This refers to Tsushima‘s geographic location facing the Korean Peninsula across the Korea Strait.
The old Japanese texts first record the name as 津島, using the characters for "port" and "island" before switching to the Chinese-derived 対馬 in the 8th century. Other historical names for Tsushima included 松島 (Matsushima) meaning "pine island".
Korean and Western sources sometimes referred to Tsushima over history by names like Daema-do (대마도, "Big Horse Island") or Lequeria derived from its location geographically opposite Korea.
Tsushima in Pop Culture
Tsushima has appeared occasionally in Japanese pop culture, most notably in:
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Shin Godzilla (2016) – Scientists analyze Godzilla‘s projected path from Tsushima to Tokyo after he first makes landfall in Japan.
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Ghost of Tsushima (2020) – This popular action-adventure game follows samurai Jin Sakai defending Tsushima during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. The visuals and scenery of Tsushima are painstakingly rendered.
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Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (2012-2013) – A reboot anime series where Tsushima island serves as the Earth defense force‘s secret underground base in Episode 13.
The references portray Tsushima as a guardian outpost protecting the Japanese mainland, fitting its real defensive role historically against invaders from the continental mainland.
Timeline of Major Events in Tsushima‘s History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 7th century AD | First recorded mention of Tsushima in ancient Japanese text |
| 1274 | Mongol invasion of Japan lands on Tsushima |
| 1281 | Second Mongol invasion again lands on Tsushima first |
| 1510 | Sō Sadamori becomes daimyo of Tsushima |
| 1609 | Formal diplomatic relations established between Tsushima and Joseon Korea |
| 1875 | Tsushima becomes part of the new Nagasaki Prefecture |
| 1905 | Battle of Tsushima during Russo-Japanese War |
| 1945 | Tsushima occupied by Soviet forces at end of WWII until 1946 |
| 1954 | Establishment of Tsushima City |
| 2012 | Tsushima Bridge connecting Tsushima and Iki Islands is completed |
Statistics on Tsushima
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Area | 712 km2 |
| Population | ~34,000 |
| Population density | 48/km2 |
| Tallest peak | Mt. Ontake, 629 m |
| Airport | Tsushima Airport, 5 routes |
| Ports | Izuhara Port, Hitakatsu Port |
| Main industries | Fishing, agriculture, tourism |
Sources
Hoffman, Michael. "Tsushima." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Tsushima-island-Japan
"Tsushima." Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsushima,_Nagasaki
"The Battle of Tsushima Strait." Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-i/1917/battle-of-tsushima.html
Tanaka, Stefan. "Ghost of Tsushima: The History Behind Sucker Punch‘s Most Ambitious Game Yet." Gamespot, 12 July 2020, https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ghost-of-tsushima-the-history-behind-sucker-punchs/1100-6481796/