Xingrensi Related To The Contact Between Ming And Ryukyu

In the thirteenth year of Hongwu(1380),the Ming Dynasty set up a foreign affairs agency called the Xingrensi.In the early Ming Dynasty,the Xingrensi was Zhengjiupin Yamen,which had a very low rank of character but a very large number.It was once relied on by the court,so its importance was self-evident.Xingren are usually both internal and external affairs,and in a certain period of time,mainly foreign affairs.In the twenty-seventh year of Hongwu(1394),the Ming Dynasty determined the number of Xingren and changed the selection criteria for Xingren.The function of Xingren became more and more important.The Ministry of Rites and guest agency,Huitong Hall,Si Yi Hall,Honglu Temple,each of their roles,together formed the foreign affairs agency in the Ming Dynasty.After the relationship of tributary between Ming and Ryukyu,a high proportion of the envoys were Xingren.From the seventh year of Zhengtong(1442),it became a rule for Xingren to travel to Ryukyu as deputy envoys.Whenever Ryukyu requested a title,the Ming Dynasty would,as a rule,send a Xingren to Ryukyu as a deputy envoy,give information to the imperial government,offer sacrifices to the dead king and crown a new one.After receiving the commission,the Xingren went south to Fuzhou to prepare for navigation.After everything was ready,the envoys sailed to Ryukyu for the conferring ceremony.During their stay in Ryukyu,Xingren visited scenic spots in Ryukyu,gaining a new understanding of its landscape and products,political system,architectural scenery and social customs.It is of great significance for a Xingren to travel to Ryukyu as an envoy of the Ming Dynasty.The frequent visits of Xingren groups to Ryukyu strengthened exchanges and contacts between Ming and Ryukyu and spread Chinese culture overseas.In the process of travelling to and from the sea,the Xingren deepened their understanding of the sea,accumulated and left a lot of navigation experience,which promoted the development of the maritime industry between Ming and Ryukyu.At the same time,various mishaps related to Xingren on the way to Ryukyu strengthened the belief in the God of the sea which had long been rooted in the people.By virtue of the belief in the god of the sea,the Xingren get psychological comfort and overcome many difficulties from the sea.