The early twelfth century marked a crucial point in the formation of the religio-commercial network. Archeological discoveries show that around 1100, a “Chinese quarter” with residents who were mostly sea merchants took shape in the port city of Hakata on Japan’s Kyushu Island. After taking up permanent residence in Japan, those Chinese merchants also sought patronage from local religious establishments in Kyushu for protection. During this period, merchants and the religious establishments grew increasingly closer to each other, and the merchants from the “Chinese quarter” even appeared in Buddhist texts and helped facilitate the spread of Buddhist teachings to Japan.