Sulfur and the Shimazu Clan (3)

      In 1424, Ino Sadatsura (?-1455) was appointed one of managers of the Muromachi Shogunate.  His job was to regulate foreign relations including procuring tribute, or export products.

     On September the 11th, 1431, he wrote a letter to Shimazu Tadakuni (1403-1470) on behalf of Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394-1441, reigning 1428-1441), the 6th shogun, who restored the shogunate from the mess after the death of the powerful 3rd shogun, Yoshimitsu (1358-1408, reigning 1368-1394).

     “Here I pass down the order to you that you should prepare 90 tons of good sulfur, and should transport it without delay.”

     In 1434, the foreign shipment office was established within the shogunate government, and Sadatsura was appointed to be its first manager.  The military production and exportation of sulfur was further institutionalized.