Japanese missions to Sui China represent a lens for examining and evaluating the relationships between China and Japan in the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries. 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 838, Japan sent 19 missions to China between 607 and 838. 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 Empress Suiko was the 33rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Suiko's reign spanned the years from 593 until her death in 628....	Ono no Imoko Ono no Imoko was a Japanese politician and diplomat in the late 6th and early 7th century, during the Asuka period.Ono was appointed by Empress Suiko as an official envoy to the Sui court in 607 , and he delivered the famous letter from Japan's Prince Shōtoku which began "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises...	Yang Emperor Yang of Sui Emperor Yang of Sui , personal name Yang Guang , alternative name Ying , nickname Amo , known as Emperor Ming during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong), was the second son of Emperor Wen of Sui, and the second emperor of China's Sui Dynasty.Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but...	Imoko's title was kenzuishi
608	Suiko	Ono no Imoko	Yang	Takamuko no Kuromaro Takamuko no Kuromaro was a Japanese scholar and diplomat of the Asuka period. The Takamuko clan are descended from Cao Pi.Karumauro traveled to China as the with Ono no Imoko as kenzuishi representing Empress Suiko in 608...  (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

See also

• Sinocentrism
  Sinocentrism
  Sinocentrism 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 Tang China
  Japanese missions to Tang China
  Japanese 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 Ming China
  Japanese missions to Ming China
  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...
  
  
• Japanese missions to Joseon
  Japanese missions to Joseon
  Japanese missions to Joseon represent a crucial aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Japanese contacts and communication. The bilateral exchanges were intermittent....