JAPANESE COMMERCE FROM THE 14TH TO 16TH CENTURIES

Abstract

The political history of Japan from the 14th to the 16th centuries was a period of great difficulty and upheaval. During this time, the authority of the Emperor was gradually and ultimately nullified by the power of the shogunate. It was also an era marked by continuous warfare among feudal lords competing for dominance, which plunged Japan into prolonged turmoil. However, in stark contrast to this bleak political landscape, Japan’s economy - particularly its commercial sector - experienced remarkable growth. Using secondary document analysis and qualitative research methods, this paper elucidates the major transformations in Japan’s commercial economy during the 14^th - 16^th  centuries across the following aspects: the transition from a self-sufficient economy to a commodity-based economy; the development of ports and the emergence of new urban centers; the expansion of markets and trading towns; and the rapid growth of foreign trade. The findings indicate that this was a period of dynamic economic transformation in Japan, laying the material foundation for the prosperity that characterized the Edo period.