accordingly, the cargo of the first portuguese ships (usually about 4 smaller-sized ships every year) arriving in japan almost entirely consisted of chinese goods (silk, porcelain). the japanese were very much looking forward to acquiring such goods, but had been prohibited from any contacts with by the emperor of china, as a punishment for "wakō" pirate raids. the portuguese (who were called "nanban", lit. southern barbarians) therefore found the opportunity to act as intermediaries in asian trade.