Restrictions and Relaxations on the Destinations of Trade Ships in the Song Dynasty

This paper analyzes the Song Dynasty regulations related to overseas trade and examines how these regulations changed over time. In particular, it examines how the initial regulations, which prohibited voyages to countries with which the Song Dynasty was in a state of military tension and to all regions that could potentially mediate exchanges with those countries, shifted in the 12th century to allow voyages to all regions except those directly involved in military conflict with the Song Dynasty.<br/> I also mentioned the existence of ‘Silla’, which was recognised as a distinct state from Koryŏ. From around 1041 to around 1090, the Song Dynasty designated both Koryŏ and ‘Silla’ as prohibited travel zones. Here, ‘Silla’ is listed alongside Koryŏ, and the policies towards the two states show differences. Therefore, it cannot be said that ‘Silla’ actually referred to Koryŏ in a case of the conventional use of the name of a past state.<br/> By examining the case of ‘Silla’ alongside it, I demonstrated that Koryŏ’s designation of prohibited navigation zones, which is best understood through the context of the relationship between Koryŏ and Song, was linked to heightened external tensions experienced by Song. I also noted that the background factor behind Koryŏ’s eventual removal from the prohibited navigation zones was Song’s shift in trade policy. As Song’s focus on trade shifted from political and military considerations to economic ones, the ban on voyages to Koryŏ was lifted.