A comparative study of the diplomatic activities of the Clans in medieval western Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K00954
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03020:Japanese history-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: ITO KOJI 九州大学, 比較社会文化研究院, 教授 (30364128)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 外交 / 比較 / 大内氏 / 室町幕府 / 九州

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As a result of comparing the "diplomacy" of the clans in Kyushu, it was found that the Ouchi clan has a distinct advantage. Regional differences in the diplomatic characteristics of the clans in late medieval Japan were largely influenced by their traditional diplomatic practices, the strength and weakness of their perceptions of foreign countries, and their physical distance from foreign countries. Considering the diplomacy with Korea and Ryukyu, the Ouchi clan was able to conduct diplomacy without relying on the Muromachi shogunate system, but the clan's diplomacy in Kyoto was dependent on the Muromachi shogunate system.

Free Research Field

東アジア交流史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、中世日本対外関係史の分野、とりわけ地域権力による独自の異国通交が展開した中世後期に焦点を定め、諸勢力の外交活動を個別にあきらかにするのみならず、諸勢力の外交活動同士を俯瞰的に比較検討することで、微視的・巨視的な両面からとらえるという新たな研究視角を提供した。とりわけ、当該期もっとも積極的な異国通交を展開した西国大名については、その特質を探る上で、「外交」活動の有無が大きな指標となり得ることを指摘した。