[1] The nature of these bilateral contacts encompassed political and ceremonial acknowledgment as well as cultural exchanges.
[6] The economic benefit of the Sinocentric tribute system was profitable trade.
[7] The tally trade involved exchanges of Japanese products for Chinese goods.
Only those with this formal proof of Imperial permission represented by the document were officially allowed to travel and trade within the boundaries of China; and only those diplomatic missions presenting authentic tallies were received as legitimate ambassadors.
[5] Over time, the conditions of this mutually beneficial tally trade would evolve beyond its initial perimeters.