| Tang-Japan relation, which occupies a significant place in the history of ancient Sino-Japan relations, has undergone a gradual shift from governmental and political dominance, to non-governmental and economical-cultural dominance.Tang-Wa(倭,Japan) relation in the early 7th century mainly centered on Korea peninsula, with both countries pursuing for its respective strategic target and eventually resorting to bitter confrontations at Baekgang(白江). Availing itself of the triumphal victory, Silla(新罗)unified the entire Korea peninsula into a single state, and thus removed the barriers for Tang and Wa to reestablish relations. The eary 8th century witnessed a golden era of intimate exchanges between Tang and Japan, as was symbolized by the frequent sending of Kentoshi(遣唐使)from Japan. In recent years, the excavation of the Epitaph of I no Manari(井真成)in Xi’an, Shaannxi, would undoubtedly be a valuable firsthand material for further study of Kentoshi history.After An-Shi Rebellion, Tang declined sharply from its height of glories and splendors, and in its wake abrupt turn occurred in Tang-Japan relation. Tang, barely recovering from such massive governance crisis, did not receive the first postwar Kentoshi that were dispatched by Japanese govermengt until the reigning period of Dali(大历). Emperor Daizong(唐代宗)warmly entertained the batch, and as a token of hospitality, sent envoys to Japan for a return visit. However, the return visit instantly triggered great turbulence amongst Japan’s problematic diplomatic order, indicating that the previous government-to-government diplomatic pattern could maintain no longer. Naturally, the system of Kentoshi suspended, yet mutual economic and cultural exchanges did not sever, as was proven by vast number of merchant ships, hitchhiked by pilgrimaging monks, incessantly sailing in between. Messages about Japanese internal movements were thus bought to Tang, substantially enriching the recordation of Japan in China’s officially-compiled history books.Chapter one:Battle of Baekgang and Postwar Tang-Wa Relation explores changes of Tang-Wa relation from after the Battle of Baekgang to the early 8th century. Shortly after the battle, Tang detached envoys to rush for Japan three times, probably for the stabilization of the rear so as to better reconstruct Paekche(百济), probably for the seeking of assistance in order to thwart Silla. In observing the political movements inside Wa after it was bitterly defeated and tracing the whereabouts of Tang’s chief envoy—Guo Wucong(郭务悰), the author attempts to illustrate the progress for both countries to wind up hostility and open up golden era of official exchanges is a awfully tortuous one.Chapter Two:Study of the Epitaph of I no Manari by Chinese and Japanese Scholars is a literature review. In-depth discussion has been undertaken by both Chinese and Japanese scholars towards the history of Kentoshi, whereas the excavation and disclosure of the epitaph of I no Manari in 2004 still stimulates another wave of enthusiasm into the research of Kentoshi in both countries. To penetrate deeply into the history of Kentoshi, the author, by adoption of literature review, includes all the research achievements relevant to the epitaph of I no Manari that have been published in the last nine years, and meanwhile raises his reflection on the research findings.Chapter Three is a short essay entitled as The whole Story of Tang Envoys Departing for Japan during Dali Period. Such topic is rarely touched among domestic research. Tang-appointed chief envoy was drowned in a sea wreck, but his assistants---Sun Xingjin(孙兴进), Qin Fuqi(秦怤期),and Gao Helin(高鹤林)survived and made it to Heijokyo(平城京)successively. The Japanese court, humbled as vassal state to Tang dynasty, treated Sun and Qin with utmost cordiality, yet it purposely staggered the date called upon by Bohai’s(渤海)envoy with Tang’s.Chapter Four:Textual research of the origin of Mikado Pedigree documented in Japan Biography of New Book of Tang(新唐书 日本传)is a brief essay for textual criticism, but it also touches upon the transformation of Tang-Japan relation in late Tang period. The recordation of Mikado Pedigree in Japan Biography of New Book of Tang originates not from Nihonshyoki(日本书纪,but clipped and excerpted from Onendaiki(王年代纪)by Japanese monk named Tyonen(奝然).With the assistance of Chinese merchants, he sailed safely to Song China and toured... |
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