Sulfur and the Shimazu Clan (2)

     As the export of sulfur to China, which used to be called tribute or offering though, expanded, manufacturing sulfur turned to be a military industry.

     On various occasions, the Shimazu Clan offered, presented, exported, and maybe smuggled their sulfur from Io-shima Island and other active volcanos in their domain.  Let’s pick up some instances from written historical documents.

     On February the 28, 1374, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408), the 3rd shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, wrote to Shimazu Ujihisa (1328-1387):

     “For sulfur, I sent Bonsho Priest to you.  The order is strict.  Details will be told by the priest.”

     Later, Yoshimitsu thanked Shimazu Motohisa (1363-1411) for 1.5 tons of sulfur, and gave him a set of armor and a sword.

     1.5 tons means it was for military supplies.