The Otomo Clan and their Smuggling (2)

     A record of the Kingdom of Joseon tells us that Otomo Mochinao (?-1445?) asked the kingdom for Makaprajnaparamita Sutra, or “Large Perfection of Wisdom Sutra,” and a large Buddhist temple bell in 1429.  The request was a countermeasure against the Ouchi Clan’s importing Palman Daejanggyeong, or Tripitaka.  The overwhelming number of Tripitaka the Ouchi Clan possessed showed off their outstanding position in Japan-Joseon relations.

     The 8th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490, reigning 1449-1473), who built Ginkaku-ji Temple, sold Japan-Ming trading tallies for his financial reasons.  The spread of tallies enabled the Otomo Clan to take part in a mission to Ming along with the Ouchi Clan.