The were Japanese efforts to learn Chinese culture and civilization from Tang China, in the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries. The nature of those contacts evolved gradually from political and ceremonial change into cultural exchanges, and the process accompanied growing commercial ties which developed over time.Fogel, Joshua A. (2009). Articulating the Sinosphere: Sino-Japanese Relations in Space and Time, pp. 102-107.

From 607 to 839, Japan sent 19 missions to Sui and Tang Empires of China (a mission planned for 894 was cancelled). For each expedition, knowledge and learning were the principal objectives. Priests from Japan studied Chinese Buddhism, officials from Japan studied Chinese government, doctors from Japan studied Chinese medicine, and painters from Japan studied Chinese painting. Approximately one third of those who embarked from Japan did not survive to return home.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.

List

Year (Anno Domini) Sender Japanese envoys Chinese monarch Comments 630–632 Jomei Taizong Accompanied on return by Tang emissary Gao Biaoren (高表仁) 653–654 Kōtoku Gaozong Vessel carrying Takada no Nemaro foundered on outward journey near the island of Takeshima in Satsuma Province 654–655 Takamuko no KuromaroNussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Takamuko no Kuromaro (no Genri)" in ; n.b., Louis-Frédéric is pseudonym of Louis-Frédéric Nussbaum, see Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Authority File .Kusushi Enichi Takamuko died in China 659–661 Saimei Nussbaum, "Iki no Hakatoko" at Sakaibe died during the trip 665–667 Tenji May have transported Tang emissary Liu Degao (劉德高) to army stationed at old Paekche garrison 667–668 Iki no Hakatoko Transported Tang emissary Sima Facong (司馬法聰) to army stationed at old Paekche garrison 669–670 Celebrated subjugation of Koguryŏ 702–704 Mommu Wu Zetian Kose no Ōji returned home in 707; Awata no Mahito returned in 718 717-718 Genshō Xuanzong Awata no Mahito returned in 718; students Abe no Nakamaro and Kibi no Makibi as well as monk Genbō (玄昉) joined this embassyFogel, Joshua. (1996). ; excerpt, "Like Genbō, Kibi no Makibi remained in China after the embassy ships returned to Japan, returning home himself at the same time as Genbo seventeen years later." 733–734 Shōmu 4 ships set out on this voyage, and one ship returned in 734; another ship returned in 736; Magistrate returned in 739 746 Cancelled 750–753 KōkenTitsingh, Issac. (1834). Ship carrying Fujiwara no Kiyokawa and Abe no Nakamaro shipwrecked in Annam; both became Tang officials and never returned home 761 Junnin Suzong With aim of retrieving Kiyokawa, traveled with Balhae ambassador returning home via Balhae; returned home with send-off by Tang emissary Shen Weiyue (沈惟岳) 761 Cancelled due to damage to vessels 762 Daizong Cancelled due to lack of favorable wind 777-778 Kōnin All four vessels shipwrecked en route home; Ono no Iwane and Tang emissary Zhao Baoying (趙寶英) died 779–781 Dezong Tang emissary Sun Xingjin 孫興進 et al. sent off at Mingzhou 804–805 Kammu 4 ships on this mission; vessel 3 shipwrecked at Hirado on the outward journey; news of vessel 4 unknown; Kūkai and Saichō joined this embassy 838–839 Ninmyō Wenzong Vessel 3 shipwrecked soon after departure at Tsukushi; its 140 passengers did not reach China; the monks Ennin and Ensai on board; passengers on vessels 1 and 4 hired Silla vessels and split up for the voyage home; returning in 839 with a letter from Chinese emperor;Titsingh, vessel 2 returned home in 840 894 Uda Zhaozong Cancelled

See also Tributary system of China Sinocentrism Japanese missions to Sui China Japanese missions to Ming China Japanese missions to Silla Japanese missions to Joseon

References

Citations

Bibliography Fogel, Joshua A. (2009). Articulating the Sinosphere: Sino-Japanese Relations in Space and Time. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ; ______________. (1996). The Literature of Travel in the Japanese Rediscovery of China, 1862-1945. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ; OCLC 32626862 . (1992). in editor, . Tokyo: Yoshikawa kōbunkan,. . (1966). . Tokyo: Shibundō. . (2003). . Tokyo: Yoshikawa kōbunkan. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ; OCLC 58053128 (1977). . Tokyo: Tōkai University Press. Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon (Nihon Odai Ichiran). Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 5850691 . (2002). in . Tokyo: Nihon hyōronsha. (2002). . Tokyo: Nōsan gyosen bunka kyōkai.