Page 196 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

9 Ceramics from Nagasaki: A Link to Manila Galleon Trade 167

were only allowed to stay in this area with the main building which contained 2000
people. All of their belongings were brought into this place and were not allowed to
leave any other belongings to the storage room, which was located near the port.
However, interestingly, large quantity of identical pieces was found, which
makes us imagine that they might have been porcelains for clandestine sale. These
large amounts of Chinese porcelains were not their belongings since some Japanese
low quality Arita, Utsugawa, Hizen Kiln wares located in Kyushu area are found as
daily use. This means that the excavated Jingdezhen and Fujian wares were for
private selling items (Hizen kilns produced high quality porcelains although they
also produced ceramics of mundane use).
Dehua small bowls with geometric design near the rim is a important type of
trade cargoes (Fig. 9.9). They were present in Mexico City with certain quantity.
However, these were small bowls whereas those in Mexico were fairly tall.
Dehua small bowls with circle motifs on the rim came a little later than the
previous type owing to the cultural layer but coexisted for quite a long time. This
type can also be found from the Zócalo area, Mexico City (Kuwayama 1997).
Fujian and Yi Xing Kiln spoon (Fig. 9.10) were found from the cultural layer
dated to 1737 at the latest. Chinese spoons began to be exported to Nagasaki in the
1660s. Ceramic spoons are not commonly found in other Japanese excavation sites.
Considering Japanese gastronomy, spoons were not necessary up to now. However
in Nagasaki, owing to its characteristics of being an international port, spoons are
found quite often. They are found in large quantity in Tojin-yashiki. They might
have sold to other Chinese residing in Nagasaki or re-exported to other Asian ports
by Fujianese merchants. In other Asian culture, spoons are quite often found and

Fig. 9.9 Dehua small bowls from Nagasaki