The Otomo Clan and their Smuggling (11)

     Reiun-in Temple in Kyoto stores a his topical record on Setsushin Shinko (?-?), who was a zen priest and who also worked as a diplomat of the Shimazu Clan.  He kept the copy of a letter written by Shimazu Yoshihisa (1533-1611) to the king of Cambodia in November, 1579.

     “We have a trading ship of your country here.  It drifted and showed itself in front of a port in Satsuma Province, Kyushu, Japan.  Through an interpreter, we asked the captain of the ship, the ambassador, and the vice-ambassador about what had happened to them.  They all said that they tried to bring a royal letter and tribute to Otomo Yoshishige across the ocean.  However, they heard that Bungo army invaded Satsuma only to be completely defeated with over ten thousand of their soldiers killed in the previous winter, that the Otomo Clan almost collapsed, and that Kyushu all belonged to Satsuma.  So the 3 handed the royal letter and tribute to me.

     “From now on, our country shall be a partner country for your country, and our friendship should last for generations to come.”

     Previously, Otomo Yoshishige invaded Hyuga Province, deploying a troop strength of 30,000, to attack Shimazu Yoshihisa.  On November the 9th-12th, they clashed around Taka-jo Castle in Koyu County, Hyuga Province.   3,000 of Otomo’s were reported to have been killed in the battle, and Yoshishige retreated to Bungo.  After the battle, the Otomo Clan almost collapsed, and the Shimazu Clan consolidated their ruling over 3 provinces in Kyushu; Satsuma, Osumi, and Hyuga.