The Activities of Omi Merchants During the Medieval and Early Modern Periods : A Comprehensive Analysis of Transport Via the Japan Sea

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This research went beyond the region of Omi to examine the activities of Omi merchants throughout Japan. The Omi merchants are thought to have dominated the mercantile world during the pre-modern period. While various aspects of their activities had been studied, a comprehensive examination of the links between different territories was still lacking. This project originally focused on the Omi merchant activities based around the Japan Sea and Hokkaido in the medieval and early modern. A database and joint research project was set up, but as research continued, it became evident that the early modern transport routes of the kitamaesen merchant skips included the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Hyogo, and Osaka. As well, indigo produced in Shikoku was shipped to Hokkaido, and dried herring of Hokkaido was taken to Shikoku, Kinai, and the Western provinces. It was clear that our study had to be expanded to incorporate regions from the entire country. As a result, the following measures we … More re taken :1.The survey was expanded to the entire country and historical material and data were collected accordingly. A new database, administered by Hamazaki Hitoshi, was created to examine and graph the area covered by Omi merchants in their activities.2.Conferences were held with scholars specializing in Omi merchants, the industry of sea transport, and regional merchants, in order to collect new research.3.A database was created of the Nishikawa Denuemon-ke monjo (Nishjikawa Denuemon Document) held by the University of Shiga Prefecture Information Center. The document, created by the historically significant Nishikawa Honke (Nishikawa Main Household), deals with the Hokkaido indigenous population (Emishi) and local contracting. It is a key primary source that complements historical materials of the Nishikawa Bunke (Nishikawa Branch Household) held by the Otaru Library.4.Hassaka and Kaideima, the regions where the University of Shiga stands, are one of the earliest areas to produce large-scale emigration to Canada and the USA during the late Meiji period and Taisho period. Many of these emigrants carried out mercantile activities abroad. Interviews were conducted with returnees and their relatives. After learning more about their origins, further interviews were carried out in Vancouver and Calgary, Canada. The results were published in Ningen bunka (Human Cultures), vol.15, no.18.We want to continue to do our best in the complement of investigation, and the further maintenance of the database. Less