TAIRA no Kiyomori expanded trade between Japan and the Sung Dynasty in China through securing a route through the Inland Sea, acquiring the right to publicly negotiate with Sung from Dazai-fu (local government office in Kyushu region), restoring Owada no tomari (Owada port) in Settsu Province as well as acquiring port entry permission for vessels from Sung at Owada no tomari; in 1179, he purchased Taihei Gyoran and had it copied, dedicating surihon (printed book) to Emperor Takakura with the copied version at hand.
瀬戸内航路の確保、大宰府の対外交渉権の接収、摂津国大輪田泊の修築・宋船入港許可などによって日宋貿易を拡大した平清盛は、治承3年（1179年）に太平御覧を購入して書写させ、写本は手元において、摺本を高倉天皇に献上している。