Trade and Fashion
in Late Ming Dynasty
October 27, 2015
Group 3
History
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While the term “Modern” may be an inaccurate description, China had
already reached a western style in terms of trade and economy by the
end of Song Dynasty
China did not follow the typical 3 stage historical sequence as Chinese
history does not have an era with similar structure to that of medieval
Europe
Trade and Economy
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Presence of the use of paper money, gunpowder, market based
commercialization and administration show resemblance of very modern
economy similar to the 20th century
While trade and especially imported goods were greatly limited by the
empire, a commercialized consumer culture thrived during the late Ming
Dynasty
Official reports during this time also suggest a laissez-faire/capitalist
approach was taken during this time period
Positives on Trade in Late Ming Dynasty
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One of the most significant events that helped further trade was the
reopening and maintenance of the the Grand Canal by the Ming Dynasty
Private and government vessels use the waterways as a means of
transporting various goods such as cotton, grains and tax to the capital
By 1730’s volume, excess of billions of pounds of rice and cotton were
shipped through the Yangzi River
Negative Effects of the Ming Dynasty
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While domestic/internal trade flourished during the late Ming period,
imports were strictly monitored and limited
Such imports and foreign trade were viewed with suspicion and
conducted only for formal diplomatic tribute missions
This isolation and lack of foreign goods only increased their demand in
the consumer based market
Negative Effects of the Ming Dynasty
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Various imports from Japan, Australia, America and India became
extremely fashionable especially throughout the rich higher class
As the growing demands of a consumption based trade and fashion
collided with government restrictions, illegal methods such as the
Japanese Pirate raidings increased significantly
Demand of Luxury Goods
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These contraband trades brought in various luxury goods such as
Japanese lacquerware and metalwork that were particularly fashionable
throughout the late Ming Dynasty
In addition, various exotic items such as edible sea slugs imported from
Indonesia and Australia, were also popular during this time period
Gunpowder Empire
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While use of gunpowder was present much
before this time period, the use of handheld
weaponry such as guns started to take off
during the late Ming
Such trades in weaponry played a significant
role in the reunification of Japan and the increase in power of the pirates
Similar to weaponry, some of the other highly demanded and fashionable
item during this time period was tobacco and turkey from America
Exports and Currency
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Similarly various items such as silk, lacquerware, porcelain (chinaware),
and tea were exported by both China and Japan to European countries
during this time period
Europeans were very rich in silver and
gold from American colonies, this raw
silver was also in high demand in
China and was used as a means of
currency during the late Ming
Lastly
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By this time period it is estimated that over 40-50% of the Male
population was literate
As reading and writing became popular, tools such as brush and ink also
increased in demand
Fashion and trade were no longer tools of the higher class as etiquette
guides and latest fashions were available to even smaller villages in the
late Ming Dynasty
Early forms of “Brand Names” began to appear providing “Fashion Conscious shoppers” better choices