| The period between
the 18th and 19th centuries when Kitamae ship owners were busy
in Ishikawa was the era in which the shipping industry made
rapid progress in Japan.
Due to the ascent of Kitamae ships, not only
the western route, but also the eastern route going to Edo
was developed.
Some Kitamae ship owners from Toyama participated
with the Satsuma Clan in smuggling Chinese drugs along the
eastern route.
Each ship sailed two or three times a year
at the peak period, which certainly enriched people's livings
at the ports of call.
Houses, household goods, clothes, daily necessities,
food supplies . . .
A number of trading goods were brought from the sea traders,
along with their frontier spirit, challenging the unknown
world, risking their lives against dangerous accidents at
sea.
|
