Raiders of Fukien

1174-1190 AD marked years of coastal raids for the Province of Fukien (also known as Fujian). These raids were initially attributed to inhabitants of southwestern Formosa (now Taiwan) by Ma Tuan Lin (translated in 1273). Based on linguistic and historical evidence, however, later works analysed that these raids were more likely to be coming from the Visayan and Bicolandia- inhabitants of south and Philippines. This paper examines oceanographic features which further strengthens this conjecture. Specifically, how the strength and behaviour of the Kuroshio might allow for raiders to traverse the distance between the Visayan and Fujian and appear as if they were originating from Formosa. In situ oceanographic observations also demonstrate that it is possible for the raiders to have made use of a narrow band of southward heading current just east of the Kuroshio to travel back home.