What Were Smuggled to Japan (3)

     The Murakami Clan, who commanded the Seto Inland Sea as pirates, could gain silver, which used to be not only the large-denomination currency in Japan but also the international currency, and imported goods such as carpets.  During the Warring States Period, each warlord could assure merchants of the freedom and security of their economic activities only within his domain.  For some merchants who were trading in wider areas, pirates were, ironically enough, indispensable for their secure commerce.  Once those warlord domains were unified under the Toyotomi Clan, however, the Murakami Clan had to give some of their silver and carpets to officers of the Toyotomi Regime as bribes to secure their business, or their goodwill.  That is, pirates were to be “pirated” this time.

     In 1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) brought Shikoku Island under control, and allocated the island to his vassals.  He demanded to demolish some castles and fortresses too.  In the process, the Noshima Murakami Clan lost their rights and interests one after another.

     First, in November, 1585, Kobayakawa Takakage (1533-1597), one of Hideyoshi’s vassals and the new ruler of Iyo Province under the Toyotomi Regime, ordered the Noshima Murakami Clan to demolish Mushi and Nakato Fortresses, 2 strategic points along Kurushima Strait.