The Shift of Tariffing Partners in the 9th Century Japan; from Silla Traders to Tang Traders

In the first half of the 9th century, Silla traders dominated the trade in the East Asia. They built Silla communities along the Yellow Sea seashores, and did the intermediate trade among Southeast Asia, Tang, Silla, and Japan. Their main character was Jang Bogo, who was based in Cheonghae Garrison on Wando Island and Chishan Bay in the Shandong Peninsula, and became strong and powerful through the triangular trade among Tang, Silla and Japan. He helped Prince Ujing overthrow King Minae. Ujing successfully became King Sinmu, and his son, King Munseong got married with Jang’s daughter. In 840, Jang dispatched a trade mission to Japan, but was assassinated by King Munseong in 846. Jang’s full activity rather heightened the consciousness of Japanese government against Silla, and it stopped diplomatic relations with Silla in 842. Their trade relations, however, continued. Meanwhile, Tang traders started approaching Japan during the century, and, after the middle of the century, they came to dominate the international trade of Japan, maybe thanks to the fall of Jang Bogo. According to some historical documents; the first appearance of Tang traders in Japan but those among official missions was marked by Zhou Guanghan and Yan Shengze from Yue Province in June, 819, although they came on board a ship of Silla. In the same year, a Tang trader, Zhang Jueji drifted ashore in Dewa Province on the Sea of Japan along with a Silla trader, Wang Cheong. On April the 27th, 820, 20 Tang traders including Li Shaozhen drifted ashore in Dewa Province. In 838, a Tang trader, Chen Daogu, stayed in Koro-kan, a state guesthouse and trading center. In 842, Li Linde brought a monk, Huie. On July the 8th, 847, 47 Tang traders including Zhang Youxin from Ming Province arrived in Japan with some Japanese on board his ship. 53 Tang traders came to Japan in August, 849. In the same year, a Tang citizen, Cui Sheng, was naturalized in Japan. In December, 851, a Tang trader, Zhang Youxin left Dazai-fu for Tang. In August, 852, a Tang trader, Qin Lianghui’s ship arrived at Hakata-tsu Port. In 852, a Japanese priest, Enchin, embarked on the returning ship of Tang traders, Wang Chao, Li Yanxiao, and others. In 858, Enchin returned to Japan on board the ship of Li Yanxiao. Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku (literally, The True Record of Three Reigns of Japan) eventually wrote a milestone article on July the 23rd, 862; “43 Tang traders including Li Yanshao came to Japan. An imperial order was issued to Dazai-fu to allow them to temporarily stay in Japan and to provide them with food and clothes.” That means they were officially admitted as transnational traders between Tang and Japan at last 44years after the first appearance of a Tang trader in Japan. In April, 863, even Prince Shinnyo’s attendants, who had been staying in Tang, returned to Japan on board the ship of a Tang trader, Shan Jingquan. Tang traders’ increasing presence must have been a serious menace against Silla traders. An urgent report from Dazai-fu arrived at the central government on June the 15th, 869, saying, “Silla pirates came on board 2 ships to Hakata-tsu Port, looted the tax silk and cotton of Buzen Province, and fled. Soldiers were dispatched but failed to arrest the pirates.” Distress made traders pirates. Later, some Silla citizens living in and around Dazai-fu were arrested, being suspected of communicating secretly with the pirates.