明初 洪武 연간 琉球와의 국교 수립과 말 교역

초록

During the establishment of diplomatic ties with the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Hongwu Emperor attempted horse trade twice. This study explores why he sought horses from distant Ryukyu. In early Ming, ongoing conflicts with Yuan remnants in northern China led the dynasty to prioritize horse procurement for military use. Amid these tensions, newly established ties with Ryukyu enabled two horse trades, with the Ming offering valuable goods in exchange. Scholars debate whether these horses were used militarily. Skeptics argue that Ryukyuan horses were too small for war, but archaeological evidence does not strongly support this claim. It also overlooks the possibility of different horses being used depending on terrain and environment. Notably, the high transaction prices of Ryukyuan horses suggest the Ming court regarded Ryukyu with considerable respect. A comparison with Goryeo, Joseon, and Jurchen horse trade shows that Ryukyuan horses commanded significantly higher prices. Given escalating conflicts with the Mongols, such preferential treatment is difficult to explain without considering military objectives.

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