斡脱錢とその背景 (上) : 十三世紀モンゴル＝元朝における銀の動向

Abstract

The outline of the Ortaq-qian 斡脱錢 (loan for Ortaq), which appears in Chinese literature under Mongol rule in the 13th century, has previously been discussed. In this article, the author supplements existing studies and clarifies its actual conditions. Further, he insists that we should not understand it narrowly as a peculiar institution of China under Mongol rule. We should understand its real importance in broader perspective, analysing its essence and tracing its origin. Ortaq, a particular group of Central Asian 西域 merchants, to whom was entrusted silver by the Mongol ruling class for the purpose of earning of its, lent the silver out at high interest and garnered much profit into their own hands as their share. It was only natural that a huge amount of silver in their hands was carried to the West. But the prerequisite for such export of silver was the differential cost of silver between the East and the West. This difference between the two economic worlds, that is, the Islamic world and China, was a long-term phenomenon from the 10th century to the 13th century. A rough sketch on this theme will begin with confirmation of this phenomenon.