In the 17th century, after the Shimazu invasion, the government of China also changed from the Ming Dynasty to the Ching Dynasty. Despite this, trade with the Ryukyu Kingdom continued. The tribute and trading vassals rode on ships sailing toward China. Tens of them proceeded to Beijing and the remainder at Ryukyuan Hall in Fukien to perform business transactions with Chinese merchants. When the Ukanshin Crown ships arrived in the Ryukyus for investiture ceremonies there were also several hundred merchants and many trading goods accompanying the Sappushi envoys. The government of the Ryukyu Kingdom needed to purchase these products at appropriate prices.
The Ryukyu Kingdom's finances during those days were provided for by a monopoly on trade goods such as sugar and turmeric. However, due to the land taxes extracted by the Shimazu Clan, the Ryukyu government had to borrow more than half of the funds needed to trade with China from Shimazu or the merchants of Satsuma Domain. The financial pressure on them was very severe. In return for this the merchants were given discounted prices and priority when purchasing Ryukyuan sugar. When the merchants of Satsuma collected the trading products to bring into China in Kyoto or Osaka, they borrowed silver from business houses in Kyoto or Osaka and supplied funds for the Ryukyuan trade with China. In this way the Ryukyu government of those days maintained tribute and trade relations with China by depending on Shimazu clan or Satsuma merchants. As a result, the Chinese products, which were brought in, were handed over to Shimazu or Satsuma merchants as payment for the silver lent to the Ryukyuans to buy the trade goods. Both the Shimazu Clan and Satsuma Domain took advantage of tribute and trade relations between Ryukyu and China to receive lucrative profits.
Depiction of Shuri and Naha Harbor, Folding Screen (Right portion)
Depiction of Shuri and Naha Harbor, Folding Screen (Left portion)
