The Distribution System of Chinaware in the Recent period as seen from Excavated Specimens recovered from the Old Tombs and Graves

古墓出土資料からみた近世陶磁器の流通

In Okinawa, the deceased used to be buried with materials that they had used so that they could live in the same way in the afterlife. That is, most chinaware in the old tombs/graves were used by the person in their lifetime. Therefore, the analysis of the chinaware would shed light on distribution sysrems. Based on such analysis, in the main island of Okinawa, Chinese chinaware was preferred during the I7th century AD. On the other hand, after the 18th century, preference was givn to Okinawa-produced chinaware. However. in the satellite and Sakishima islands, China-and Japan-produced chinaware were still preferred. The result indicates that since glazed chinaware manufacture was restricted only on the main island of Okinawa. the main island of Okinawa had a different distribution system than did the other islands.