[Article] Ships and Voyages for Trade between Medieval Japan and Korea

DOI IR

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • [論文] 中世日朝通交貿易における船と航海

Search this article

Description

This paper aims to elucidate the actual role of maritime transport as a fundamental enabler for exchange between Medieval Japan and Korea. This study focuses on Tsushima, Japan’s biggest gateway, and examines ships and their voyages between Tsushima and Korea from the following five perspectives: (1) the size of standard trade ships; (2) the size of ships carrying express messengers; (3) crew members and payload; (4) actual voyages; and (5) shipbuilding, repair, and fittings. Among them, the examination from the perspectives (1) and (2) reached the following conclusions. Japanese traders were required by Korean regulations to use a small vessel up to 9.24 meters in estimated length with a payload capacity of up to 9.3 tons. Meanwhile, the lord of Tsushima had a small boat, which was of the same size as the above-mentioned trade ships, to send express messengers. The trade ships were mainly powered by sails, while the express messenger boat was mainly powered by oars. This difference in power source between the trade ships and messenger boat affected not only their navigation styles but also their economic and social implications. Most of the traders in Tsushima were small business merchants living in villages. Although they were only allowed to use small sailing ships, they pursued greater economy in operations by minimizing the number of crew members and carrying as much cargo as possible. For the same reason, they usually chose to embark from Tsushima for Korea in Spring (in the third lunar month), the season when the weather, wind, and tides were ideal for sailing. This implies that there were businesses whose annual business cycle started in spring. On the other hand, the express messenger boat was small but required some 30 seamen with certain experience, knowledge, skills, and power to navigate the boat. Therefore, the lord of Tsushima recruited seamen from villagers in the surrounding areas. Mainly powered by oars, the express messenger boat was able to travel through the Tsushima strait at a great speed regardless of the weather and sea conditions.

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top