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In the [[Yamato period]], and into the [[Nara period]], Japan did in fact receive tribute from outlying regions, such as from the Ryukyuan islands of [[Tanegashima]], the [[Amami Islands]], [[Tokunoshima]], and [[Yakushima]] beginning in [[699]], and from the [[Hayato]], a people of southern Kyushu outside of the boundaries of the Yamato state. Korea sent tribute to Japan as well, in this early period; we have the example of Kim Chhyun-chhyu, who gifted a peacock and a parrot to the court in [[647]]. Polities based in the Japanese archipelago may have paid tribute to Korean or Chinese polities in ancient times as well, such as in the case of the state of [[Na]], which is said to have sent tribute to Han Dynasty China in the year [[57]].

In the [[Yamato period]], and into the [[Nara period]], Japan did in fact receive tribute from outlying regions, such as from the Ryukyuan islands of [[Tanegashima]], the [[Amami Islands]], [[Tokunoshima]], and [[Yakushima]] beginning in [[699]], and from the [[Hayato]], a people of southern Kyushu outside of the boundaries of the Yamato state. Korea sent tribute to Japan as well, in this early period; we have the example of Kim Chhyun-chhyu, who gifted a peacock and a parrot to the court in [[647]]. Polities based in the Japanese archipelago may have paid tribute to Korean or Chinese polities in ancient times as well, such as in the case of the state of [[Na]], which is said to have sent tribute to Han Dynasty China in the year [[57]].

Japan also received tribute from Ryûkyû, Korea, the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] and the [[Ainu]] during the [[Edo Period]]. These took the forms of formal missions to Edo performed by [[Ryukyuan embassy|Ryukyuan]] and [[Korean embassy|Korean envoys]] on the occasion of the accession of a new shogun, or of a new king of Ryûkyû or Korea; Ainu chiefs met with the lords of the [[Matsumae clan]] on occasion, though it has been argued that the Ainu did not perceive these meetings to be acts of subordination, nor the gifts they brought to be "tribute" per se. Representatives of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), similarly, made journeys to Edo on occasion, but it is likewise unlikely that they saw these journeys, and gift-exchanges with the shogun, as acts of subordination or as payment of tribute. Tribute or taxes were also paid by Ryûkyû to [[Satsuma han]].

Japan also received tribute from Ryûkyû, Korea, the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] and the [[Ainu]] during the [[Edo Period]]. These took the forms of formal missions to Edo performed by [[Ryukyuan embassy|Ryukyuan]] and [[Korean embassy|Korean envoys]] on the occasion of the accession of a new shogun, or of a new king of Ryûkyû or Korea; Ainu chiefs met with the lords of the [[Matsumae clan]] on occasion, though it has been argued that the Ainu did not perceive these meetings to be acts of subordination, nor the gifts they brought to be "tribute" per se. Still, the Ainu of [[Sakhalin]] are said to have paid tribute to the samurai [[Takeda Nobuhiro]] and his descendants for a time, beginning in [[1475]]. Similarly, representatives of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) made journeys to Edo on occasion, but they too are not likely to have seen these journeys, and gift-exchanges with the shogun, as acts of subordination or as payment of tribute. Tribute or taxes were also paid by Ryûkyû to [[Satsuma han]].

Of course, the term "tribute" is also sometimes used to refer to gifts given by samurai lords to those to whom they formally submit. Particularly in the [[Sengoku Period]], when ''daimyô'' defeated other clans and took them as new subordinates, they often received gifts, or "tribute."

Of course, the term "tribute" is also sometimes used to refer to gifts given by samurai lords to those to whom they formally submit. Particularly in the [[Sengoku Period]], when ''daimyô'' defeated other clans and took them as new subordinates, they often received gifts, or "tribute."