Abstract
With the increase of textile production in the Ming Dynasty, as well as extensive use, distribution, and used as a dye, sappanwood became a common East Asian Seas trading good, in particular because of its specificity for ships' ballast use, so all parties are more or less involved in the operation of this product. In addition to the Portuguese came to East Asia, whether Zheng He, Ryukyu tribute, Chinese Seaman (Zheng’s ministry trading group), the Japanese Red seal ships, the Netherlands VOC and the England EIC, even the King of Siam who wants to control the trade interests, are involved in the trading competition of sappanwood, during 15th to 17th century. Looking further into the Siam sappanwood trade, if we see the abolishment of the ban toward foreign countries during the Long Qing regime (1567) as the water- shed, beforehand was mainly affected by the Chinese tributary system, where Siam sappanwood is documented by the interpreter Ma Huan alongside Zheng He’s voy- age, writing its value "abundant as timber, and beyond comparison as color”, this reflects the Siamese intention of using it as a stable tribute toward Ming, and also to attract countries as Ryukyu tribute to Siam trade. But after hand, the trading of sappanwood in East Asia seas was operated by the Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and the Siam king himself, but because the Chinese and Japanese merchants have the advantage of both controlling the Siam domestic market and shipping, so early in the 17th century, the main operators still Chinese and Japanese master of their own. With the situation in Japan after “Sakoku”, and some diplomatic conflicts between Japan and Siam, led Japan to withdraw from the East Asian Seas trading, and for the Chinese and Dutch forces to share the interest. In particular, the Dutch VOC learned about the market value and profits of sappanwood in East Asian region, they hope to use its advantage in their trading network and waters, to get the maximum benefit. In addition to interest the Siamese and Japanese officials, and attempt to both negotiate or batter off their Chinese competitors to monopolize Japan sappanwood market. The above as displayed, is one seemingly insignificant sappanwood, though not a primary commodity in the East Asian Seas trading networks, but because of the special nature of its functions, such as a dye use and ships ballast purposes, as well as in under the East Asian Seas commodity circulation network complementary considerations. As various parties joined in the sappanwood trade, making merchandise inexpensive as sappanwood an important commodity that should not be underestimated, where silk, porcelain and silver are high-value goods in this period.