What Were Smuggled to Japan (2)

     The Nabeshima Clan took over the Ryuzoji Clan, who had been ruling Hizen Province in Kyushu Island during the Warring States Period, in 1607.  The Hirayoshi Family, who used to be a charted merchant for both the clans, has kept their own historical texts, and one of them reads as follows:

     “In the middle of Tensho years (in 1580’s), on our way to Kyoto in the Seto Inland sea, around No-shima, Kuru-shima, and Inno-shima Islands, pirates formed gangs, killed those who were sailing up or down along the sea corridor.  Everyone who came or went along the corridor was suffering.  We could not even meet the requires and orders of Lord Naoshige (Nabeshima Naoshige, 1538-1618).

     “The judicial officer sent out a ship, and sent a messenger to a pirate boss to take the complaint to him.  The boss replied, ‘Let’s put other provinces’ ships aside.  If you would like your ships from Nabeshima’s domain in Hizen Province pass through the area with no problems, you should hand over one kan (about 4 kilograms) of silver as a reward.’  The both sides consented, and handed in signed documents to each other.  They gave us 20 ship banners, and we handed over one kan of silver.  Thereafter, the clan’s couriers and the domain’s trading ships as well can now sail through the area with the ship banners.  Lord Naoshige seems more than satisfied.”

     Thus, some of the silver which were circulating along the smuggling over the East China Sea found their way to the Japanese pirates along the Seto Inland Sea, namely the Murakami Clan.