明朝における朝貢國琉球の位置附けとその變化 : 一四・一五世紀を中心に

Abstract

This article is to expiore the crucial factor to the prosperity of Ryukyu as a maritime trade power considering her tributary relations with the Ming dynasty. According to the statistical analysis of the Ryukyuan tributary trade with the Ming dynasty based on Ming Shi-Lu 明實錄 and Li-dai bao-an 歴代寳案 made here, its peak period was from 1383 to the 1450's at the latest, which was earlier than the time recent view suggested. For the purpose of making Ryukyu, the maritime power a part of the tributary system, the Ming dynasty adopted favorable policies towards Ryukyu, like allowing her to dispatch the tributary missions at any time, to get several junks, to arrive in Chinese ports freely to a certain extent, and to accept Chinese people who were dispatched officially. These policies were closely related to the termination of the diplomatic negotiations with Japan for the control over Wo-kou 倭寇, Japanese pirates, and caused Ryukyu to become the maritime trade power. In the 1440's, the Ming dynasty changed its attitude towards overseas countries including Japan, and began to restrict their tributes. However, the restrictions on the Ryukyuan tributary trade became obvious only in the 1460's, because the Ming dynasty realized that it was possible that Ryukyu cooperated with southern Chinese pirates. The Ryukyuan tributary trade declined due to these restrictions. Indeed the issue of centralization took place in Ryukyu at the same time was related to these changes.