Japanese missions to Ming China
Encyclopedia
Japanese missions to Ming China represent a lens for examining and evaluating the relationships between China and Japan in the 15th through the 17th centuries. The nature of these bilateral contacts encompassed political and ceremonial acknowledgment as well as cultural exchanges. The evolution of diplomatic ties accompanied the growing commercial ties which grew over time.
As many as twenty trade missions traveled from Japan to China between 1401 and 1547. Every one of these missions were headed by a Zen Buddhist monk from one of the so-called or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto", consisting of Nanzen-ji
, Tenryū-ji
, Shokoku-ji
, Kennin-ji
, Tofuku-ji
and Manju-ji
.
Over time, the conditions of this mutually benefitical tally trade would evolve beyond its initial perimeters.
}
| Yongle
|align="left" | The formal diplomatic letter conveyed to the Emperor of China was accompanied by a gift of 1000 ounces of gold and diverse objects; returned with Ming ambassadors Tianlun Daoyi (天倫道彝) and Yian Yiru (一庵一如)
|- align="center"
| 1403–1404
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" | Keimitsu was chief abbot of Tenryū-ji
monastery. the mission party returned with Ming ambassadors Zhao Juren (趙居任) and Chang Hung (張洪 a/ka/a Zhang Hong
); also accompanied by monk Daocheng (道成); conveyed "Yongle tallies"
|- align="center"
| 1404–1405
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" | First tally vessel, returned with Ming ambassador Yu Shiji
(俞士吉)
|- align="center"
| 1405–1406
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" | On orders of Ming emperor, repatriated captured Chinese pirates; returned with Ming ambassadors Pan Ci (潘賜) and Wang Jin
(王進)
|- align="center"
| 1406–1407
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" | Tribute mission of gratitude to the Ming; returned with Ming ambassador
|- align="center"
| 1407
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" | With an embassy of 73, Keimitsu paid tribute and returned captured pirates
|- align="center"
| 1408–1409
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" |the large mission party consisted of 300; Keimitsu paid tribute, offered captured pirates, and returned with Ming ambassor Zhou Quanyu (周全渝)
|- align="center"
| 1410–1411
| Yoshimochi
|
| Yongle
|align="left" |Bringing news of installation of Shogun Yoshimochi; returned with Ming ambassador Wang Jin
|- align="center"
| 1433–1434
| Yoshinori
|
| Xuande
|align="left" | Embassay of 220; returned with Xuande tallies; accompanied by Ming ambassadors Pan Ci and Lei Chun (雷春)
|- align="center"
| 1435–1436
| Yoshinori
|
| Zhengtong
|align="left" | Returned with remaining Yongle tallies
|- align="center"
| 1453–1454
| Yoshimasa
|
| Jingtai
|align="left" | Embassy of 1200 (350 reached the capital); returned with Jingtai tallies
|- align="center"
| 1468–1469
| Yoshimasa
|
| Chenghua
|align="left" | Returned left over Jingtai tallies to Ming and returned with Chenghua tallies
|- align="center"
| 1477–1478
| Yoshihisa
|
| Chenghua
|align="left" | Embassy of 300
|- align="center"
| 1484–1485
| Yoshihisa
|
| Chenghua
|align="left" |
|- align="center"
| 1495–1496
| Yoshizumi
|
| Hongzhi
|align="left" | Returned with Hongzhi tallies
|- align="center"
| 1509
| Yoshitane
|
| Zhengde
|align="left" | Solo Hosokawa mission
|- align="center"
| 1511–1513
| Yoshitane
|
| Zhengde
|align="left" | Party of 600; returned with Zhengde tallies; returned leftover tallies from the Jingtai and Chenghua eras
|- align="center"
| 1523
| Yoshiharu
|
| Jiajing
|align="left" | Ōuchi had over 100 in party; Hosokawa had over 100; each domain sent own chief ambassador; parties clashed at Ningbo
|- align="center"
| 1539–1541
| Yoshiharu
|
| Jiajing
|align="left" | Party of 456; solo Ōuchi mission
|- align="center"
| 1547–1549
| Yoshiteru
|
| Jiajing
|align="left" | Party of 637; Ōuchi vessels; returned Hongzhi and Zhengde tallies
|}
As many as twenty trade missions traveled from Japan to China between 1401 and 1547. Every one of these missions were headed by a Zen Buddhist monk from one of the so-called or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto", consisting of Nanzen-ji
Nanzen-ji
, or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly , is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Emperor Kameyama established it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace. It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen...
, Tenryū-ji
Tenryu-ji
—more formally known as —is the head temple of the Tenryū branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Musō Soseki. Construction was...
, Shokoku-ji
Shokoku-ji
, formally identified as , is a Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, founded in 1382 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.-Buddhist center:In 1383, the Zen master was designated by Yoshimitsu as founding abbot, however, Myōha insisted that the official honor be posthumously accorded to his own teacher, Musō...
, Kennin-ji
Kennin-ji
, is a historic Zen Buddhist temple in Higashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, near Gion. It is considered to be one of the so-called Kyoto Gozan or "five most important Zen temples of Kyoto".-History:...
, Tofuku-ji
Tofuku-ji
is a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku in Kyoto, Japan. Tōfuku-ji takes its name from two temples in Nara, Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji. It is one of the so-called Kyoto Gozan or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto". Its honorary sangō prefix is .-History:...
and Manju-ji
Manju-ji
is a Rinzai Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku Kyoto, Japan. Owing to the influence of the Ashikaga, Manju-ji was designated a Jissatsu temple for a time. At present, it is a sub-temple of Tōfuku-ji. It is considered to be one of the so-called Kyoto Gozan or "five great Zen temples of...
.
Tally trade
The economic benefit of the Sinocentric tribute system was profitable trade. The tally trade (勘合貿易, kangō bōeki in Japanese and kanhe maoyi in Chinese) was a system devised and monitored by the Chinese. The tally trade involved exchanges of Japanese products for Chinese goods. The Chinese "tally" was a certificate issued by the Ming. The first 100 such tallies were conveyed to Japan in 1404. Only those with this formal proof of Imperial permission represented by the document were officially allowed to travel and trade within the boundaries of China; and only those diplomatic missions presenting authentic tallies were received as legitimate ambassadors.Over time, the conditions of this mutually benefitical tally trade would evolve beyond its initial perimeters.
Selected missions
| Year | Sender | Envoys | Chinese monarch | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1401–1402 | Yoshimochi Ashikaga Yoshimochi was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.... |
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" | The formal diplomatic letter conveyed to the Emperor of China was accompanied by a gift of 1000 ounces of gold and diverse objects; returned with Ming ambassadors Tianlun Daoyi (天倫道彝) and Yian Yiru (一庵一如)
|- align="center"
| 1403–1404
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" | Keimitsu was chief abbot of Tenryū-ji
Tenryu-ji
—more formally known as —is the head temple of the Tenryū branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Musō Soseki. Construction was...
monastery. the mission party returned with Ming ambassadors Zhao Juren (趙居任) and Chang Hung (張洪 a/ka/a Zhang Hong
Zhang Hong
Zhang Hong , style name Zigang , was a minister serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history....
); also accompanied by monk Daocheng (道成); conveyed "Yongle tallies"
|- align="center"
| 1404–1405
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" | First tally vessel, returned with Ming ambassador Yu Shiji
Yu Shiji
Yu Shiji , courtesy name Maoshi , was an official of the Chinese dynasties Chen Dynasty and Sui Dynasty. He was particularly powerful during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui and became prime minister, and was faulted by traditional historians for placating Emperor Yang and not reacting properly...
(俞士吉)
|- align="center"
| 1405–1406
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" | On orders of Ming emperor, repatriated captured Chinese pirates; returned with Ming ambassadors Pan Ci (潘賜) and Wang Jin
Wang Jin
Wang Jin , courtesy name Xiaqing , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Daizong...
(王進)
|- align="center"
| 1406–1407
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" | Tribute mission of gratitude to the Ming; returned with Ming ambassador
|- align="center"
| 1407
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" | With an embassy of 73, Keimitsu paid tribute and returned captured pirates
|- align="center"
| 1408–1409
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" |the large mission party consisted of 300; Keimitsu paid tribute, offered captured pirates, and returned with Ming ambassor Zhou Quanyu (周全渝)
|- align="center"
| 1410–1411
| Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
|
| Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
|align="left" |Bringing news of installation of Shogun Yoshimochi; returned with Ming ambassador Wang Jin
|- align="center"
| 1433–1434
| Yoshinori
Ashikaga Yoshinori
was the 6th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1429 to 1441 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshinori was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.-Shogunal succession:...
|
| Xuande
Xuande Emperor
The Xuande Emperor was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".-Biography:...
|align="left" | Embassay of 220; returned with Xuande tallies; accompanied by Ming ambassadors Pan Ci and Lei Chun (雷春)
|- align="center"
| 1435–1436
| Yoshinori
Ashikaga Yoshinori
was the 6th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1429 to 1441 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshinori was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.-Shogunal succession:...
|
| Zhengtong
Zhengtong Emperor
Zhu Qizhen was an emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 to 1464....
|align="left" | Returned with remaining Yongle tallies
|- align="center"
| 1453–1454
| Yoshimasa
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
was the 8th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1449 to 1473 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimasa was the son of the sixth shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori....
|
| Jingtai
Jingtai Emperor
The Jingtai Emperor was Emperor of China from 1449 to 1457. The second son of the Xuande Emperor, he was selected in 1449 to succeed his older brother, the Zhengtong Emperor, when the latter was captured by Mongols following the Tumu Crisis...
|align="left" | Embassy of 1200 (350 reached the capital); returned with Jingtai tallies
|- align="center"
| 1468–1469
| Yoshimasa
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
was the 8th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1449 to 1473 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimasa was the son of the sixth shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori....
|
| Chenghua
Chenghua Emperor
The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...
|align="left" | Returned left over Jingtai tallies to Ming and returned with Chenghua tallies
|- align="center"
| 1477–1478
| Yoshihisa
Ashikaga Yoshihisa
was the 9th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1473 to 1489 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshihisa was the son of the eighth shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa....
|
| Chenghua
Chenghua Emperor
The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...
|align="left" | Embassy of 300
|- align="center"
| 1484–1485
| Yoshihisa
Ashikaga Yoshihisa
was the 9th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1473 to 1489 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshihisa was the son of the eighth shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa....
|
| Chenghua
Chenghua Emperor
The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...
|align="left" |
|- align="center"
| 1495–1496
| Yoshizumi
Ashikaga Yoshizumi
was the 11th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1494 to 1508 during the Muromachi period of Japan. He was the son of Ashikaga Masatomo and grandson of the sixth shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori. Yoshizumi was first called Yoshitō , then Yoshitaka.Yoshizumi was adopted by the 8th shogun...
|
| Hongzhi
Hongzhi Emperor
The Hongzhi Emperor was emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. Born Zhu Youcheng , he was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi...
|align="left" | Returned with Hongzhi tallies
|- align="center"
| 1509
| Yoshitane
Ashikaga Yoshitane
, also known as Ashikaga Yoshiki , was the 10th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who headed the shogunate first from 1490 to 1493 and then again from 1508 to 1521 during the Muromachi period of Japan....
|
| Zhengde
Zhengde Emperor
The Zhengde Emperor was emperor of China between 1505-1521. Born Zhu Houzhao, he was the Hongzhi Emperor's eldest son...
|align="left" | Solo Hosokawa mission
|- align="center"
| 1511–1513
| Yoshitane
Ashikaga Yoshitane
, also known as Ashikaga Yoshiki , was the 10th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who headed the shogunate first from 1490 to 1493 and then again from 1508 to 1521 during the Muromachi period of Japan....
|
| Zhengde
Zhengde Emperor
The Zhengde Emperor was emperor of China between 1505-1521. Born Zhu Houzhao, he was the Hongzhi Emperor's eldest son...
|align="left" | Party of 600; returned with Zhengde tallies; returned leftover tallies from the Jingtai and Chenghua eras
|- align="center"
| 1523
| Yoshiharu
Ashikaga Yoshiharu
was the 12th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who held the reins of supreme power from 1521 through 1546 during the late Muromachi period of Japan...
|
| Jiajing
Jiajing Emperor
The Jiajing Emperor was the 11th Ming Dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin...
|align="left" | Ōuchi had over 100 in party; Hosokawa had over 100; each domain sent own chief ambassador; parties clashed at Ningbo
|- align="center"
| 1539–1541
| Yoshiharu
Ashikaga Yoshiharu
was the 12th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who held the reins of supreme power from 1521 through 1546 during the late Muromachi period of Japan...
|
| Jiajing
Jiajing Emperor
The Jiajing Emperor was the 11th Ming Dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin...
|align="left" | Party of 456; solo Ōuchi mission
|- align="center"
| 1547–1549
| Yoshiteru
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
, also known as Yoshifushi or Yoshifuji, was the 13th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1546 to 1565 during the late Muromachi period of Japan. He was the eldest son of the 12th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiharu; and his mother was a daughter of Konoe Taneie...
|
| Jiajing
Jiajing Emperor
The Jiajing Emperor was the 11th Ming Dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin...
|align="left" | Party of 637; Ōuchi vessels; returned Hongzhi and Zhengde tallies
|}
See also
- SinocentrismSinocentrismSinocentrism is an ethnocentric perspective that regards China to be the center of civilization and superior to all other nations. The related but distinct concept of the superiority of the Han Chinese ethnicity both within and without China is known as Han chauvinism.- Overview and context...
- Japanese missions to Sui ChinaJapanese missions to Sui ChinaJapanese missions to Sui China represent a lens for examining and evaluating the relationships between China and Japan in the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries...
- Japanese missions to Tang ChinaJapanese missions to Tang ChinaJapanese missions to Tang China represent a lens for examining and evaluating the relationships between China and Japan in the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries...
- Japanese missions to JoseonJapanese missions to JoseonJapanese missions to Joseon represent a crucial aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Japanese contacts and communication. The bilateral exchanges were intermittent....