Japanese missions to Sui China represent a lens for examining and evaluating the relationship between the Sui dynasty and Japan in the 7th century. The nature of these bilateral contacts evolved gradually from political and ceremonial acknowledgment to cultural exchanges; and the process accompanied the growing commercial ties which developed over time.
Between 607 and 839, Japan sent 19 missions to Sui and Tang Empires of China (a mission planned for 894 was cancelled). Knowledge was the principal objective of each expedition. For example: Priests studied Chinese Buddhism. Officials studied Chinese government. Doctors studied Chinese medicine. Painters studied Chinese painting. Approximately one third of those who embarked from Japan did not survive to return home.
| Year | Sender | Japanese envoys | Chinese monarch | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 607 | Suiko | Ono no Imoko | Yang | Imoko's title was kenzuishi |
| 608 | Suiko | Ono no Imoko | Yang | Takamuko no Kuromaro (no Genri) and Minabuchi no Shōan, along with the Buddhist monk Sōmin remained in China for 32 years before returning to Japan. Like Imoko, the titles of Kuromaro and Shoan were kenzuishi |
| 614 | Suiko | Inugami no Mitasuki | Yang | Yatabe Zo traveled along with Mitasuki. |
See also
- Sinocentrism
- Japanese missions to Tang China
- Japanese missions to Ming China
- Japanese missions to Joseon
Notes
- Fogel, Joshua A. (2009). Articulating the Sinosphere: Sino-Japanese Relations in Space and Time, pp. 102-107.
- Hoffman, Michael. "Cultures Combined in the Mists of Time: Origins of the China-Japan relationship," Asia Pacific Journal: Japan Focus. February 3, 2006; reprinting article in Japan Times, January 29, 2006.
- Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Ono no Imoko" in Japan encyclopedia, p. 755, p. 755, at Google Books; n.b., Louis-Frédéric is pseudonym of Louis-Frédéric Nussbaum, see Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Authority File Archived 2012-05-24 at archive.today.
- ^ Nussbaum, "Kentōshi" at p. 511, p. 511, at Google Books
- Nussbaum, "Takamuko no Kuromaro (No Genri)" at p. 935, p. 935, at Google Books
- Nussbaum, "Minabuchi no Shōan" at p. 632, p. 632, at Google Books
- Nussbaum, "Sōmin" at p. 900, p. 900, at Google Books
- Kojima, Noriyuki (1996). Nihon Shoki 2 Shinpen Nihon Kotenbungaku Zenshu 3. Japan: Shogakkan. 22nd year of Empress Suiko 13th day of the 6th month article. ISBN 4096580031.
References
- Fogel, Joshua A. (2009). Articulating the Sinosphere: Sino-Japanese Relations in Space and Time. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674032590; OCLC 255142264
- Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 48943301