The trade between Japan and the Ming Dynasty in China (the tally trade - between Japan and the Ming Dynasty) started from the early 15th century when Yoshimitsu ASHIKAGA who unified the Northern and Southern Courts and established his stable political administration officially received sakuho (homage by Chinese emperors) from Ming Dynasty.
南北朝を統一し、安定政権を築いた足利義満が、正式に明からの冊封を受けることで、15世紀初頭から日明貿易（勘合貿易）が開始するのである。