The Otomo Clan and their Smuggling (9)

     Through their south gate, Bungo Channel, where were the Otomo Clan’s ships heading to?  As the clan collapsed at the end of the Warring State Period, we have no written records left on their side, but from fragments of information left in Kyoto or from documents of the Shimazu Clan, who not only survived from Kamakura Shogunate through the Warring State Period to Tokugawa Shogunate but also played an important role in overthrowing the Tokugawa Clan and in accomplishing the Meiji Restoration, we can make a guess or two.

     In some year in the late 1560’s, on November the 5th, Otomo Yoshishige (1530-1587) wrote a letter to Shimazu Yoshihisa (1533-1611):

     “As we live far from each other, I have not heard from you for long.  Your shields and spikes have not reached here so long.  You should show how you are.  Our bows and arrows are always all ready.  Please do not worry about me.

     “By the way, I am sending people to Ryukyu.  When they sail off your domain, please pay attention to them as usual.  I appreciate it and send 5 rolls of silk in advance just to make up for this short letter.

     “With best regards,”

     It is obvious that the Otomo Clan was trading with Ryukyu at the time as the Sagara Clan did.