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.[1]
From 607 to 838, Japan sent 19 missions to China. 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.[2]
| width=8% | Year | width=10% | Sender | width=30% | Japanese envoys | width=10% | Chinese monarch | width=42% | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 630-632 | Jomei | Taizong | Accompanied on return by Tang emissary Gao Biaoren (高表仁) | ||||||
| 653-654 | Kotoku | Gaozong | Vessel carrying Takada no Nemaro foundered on outward journey near the island of Takeshima in Satsuma Province | ||||||
| 654-655 | Kōtoku | Takamuko no Kuromaro[3] Kusushi Enichi | Gaozong | Takamuko died in China | |||||
| 659-661 | Saimei | [4] | Gaozong | Sakaibe died during the trip | |||||
| 665-667 | Tenji | Gaozong | May have transported Tang emissary Liu Degao (劉德高) to army stationed at old Paekche garrison | ||||||
| 667-668 | Tenji | Iki no Hakatoko | Gaozong | Transported Tang emissary Sima Facong (司馬法聰) to army stationed at old Paekche garrison | |||||
| 669-670 | Tenji | Gaozong | 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 embassy[5] | ||||||
| 733-734 | Shōmu | Xuanzong | 4 ships set out on this voyage, and one ship returned in 734; another ship returned in 736; Magistrate returned in 739 | ||||||
| 746- | Shōmu | Xuanzong | cancelled | ||||||
| 750-753 | Kōken[6] | Xuanzong | Ship carrying Fujiwara no Kiyokawa and Abe no Nakamaro shipwrecked in Annam; both became Tang officials and never returned home | ||||||
| 761-761 | 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- | Junnin | Suzong | cancelled due to damage to vessels | ||||||
| 762- | Junnin | Daizong | Cancelled due to lack of favorable wind | ||||||
| 777-778 | Kōnin | Daizong | All four vessels shipwrecked en route home; Ono no Iwane and Tang emissary Zhao Baoying (趙寶英) died | ||||||
| 779-781 | Kōnin | Dezong | Tang emissary Sun Xingjin 孫興進 et al. sent off at Mingzhou | ||||||
| 804-805 | Kammu | Dezong | 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;[7] vessel 2 returned home in 840 | ||||||
| 894- | Uda | Zhaozong | cancelled |