The Interaction between the Tang Dynasty and Japan

茂林遠岫圖Luxuriant Forest Among Distant Peaks - Li Cheng

The inkwash style of painting was invented during the Tang Dynasty, known as Sumi-e in Japan

On'yomi (Sino-Japanese)

Ten

Do

Ou

Kun'yomi (Native Japanese)

Ama/Ame

Tsuchi

Okimi

The Four Accomplishments - Kano Masanobu

Middle Chinese

Tiān

Tuo

Wong

The Yamato weren't the only Japanese peoples who interacted with the Tang

Also Hayato, Kumaso, and Azumi from Kyushu

Ryukyuan Kingdoms of the southern archipelago

Many Japanese instruments are based on Chinese ones

ex. Koto, Biwa, Shamisen, Shakuhachi

Emperor Kotoku (596 - 654 AD)

United Japan under his rule

Inspired by the missions to China

Styled himself "Emperor" instead of a clan leader

Taika Reforms

- a set of policies meant to centralize Japan and emulate Tang court

- Nationalized land and reorganized it into provinces and counties

The first Sino-Japanese conflict occurred in 663 A.D. at the Battle of Baekgang

Japan's worst military defeat in pre-modern history. Catastrophic losses of men, ships, and access to the mainland

Heian-Kyo (Kyoto) was built in 794 A.D.

Marked the start of the Heian period

Damyeom-libbon-wang-hoedo - 6th century

Chang'an is famous for its grid pattern layout.

Emulated by the Japanese for ease of governance with neatly categorized districts

Tōshōdai-ji is a prime example of Chinese influence on Japanese architecture

Built with guidance of Chinese monk Jianzhen in 759

Heijo-kyo (Nara)

one of the earlier Japanese capitals modeled after Chang'an

White makeup with mercury and white lead for that alabaster look imported from China

Makeup and eyebrow trends from the Tang were used by both men and women of noble birth

The nobility of Japan began copying the Tang. Chinese art and past times became popular within the court

Jianzhen (688 - 763)

Called "Ganjin" In Japan

Spread Buddism and Chinese culture as a whole in Japan

Japan had 18 missions where they sent scholars and officials to learn from the Tang

From 630 - 839

3 were canceled due to bad weather

The 19th mission was canceled

Kūkai(774-835)

Also traveled to China in 804

Founded the Shingon Sect (806)

Branch of Mahayana Buddhism, more focused on esoteric rituals and divine magic

Influence of Daoism led to creation on Onmyōdō, "The Way of Yin and Yang"

Practitioners called "Onmyōji"

Could hold court positions, acted like a court shaman

Saichō (767-822)

Traveled to China in 804 to about the different sects of Buddhism

Founded the Tendai Sect (805)

Helped spread Buddhism throughout Japan

Introduction of new religions into Japan.

Buddhism and Daoism began to compete then blend with native Shinto practices

Abe-no-Seimei (921 - 1005)

5 levels of Punishment (Gokei)

1. Caning

2. Public Caning

3. Imprisonment

4. Exile

5. Death

Japanese legal system modeled after Confucian and Chinese Legalism practices

The Interaction between the Tang Dynasty and japan

Centralized government split into two departments: the Jingi-kan or "Department of Worship" and the Daijō-kan" - the "Department of State" , which was further split into 8 ministries

Kokugunri and Gori systems separate Japan into administrative zones

Nationalization of land and citizens, no private ownership

Establishment of taxes on goods, usually in form of rice (koku)

Overview

Officials split into 9 ranks with 30 positions for senior and junior officials (Ikai)

Supposed to be meritocratic but aristocrats were assigned high posts and commoners rarely got past the 6th rank

Provinces of the Yamato Empire in late Asuka period

Tang Style Buildings

rELIGIOUS iNFLUENCES

Brief History of Tang-Japnese Relations

Affects of The tang dynasty on Japanese culture

tANG STYLE GOVERNMENT IN JAPAN

References

1. Pae, Hye K. Writing Systems, Reading Processes, Cross-Linguistic Influences: Reflections from the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Languages. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2018.

2. Teng, Jun. The History of Sino-Japanese Cultural Exchange. Milton: Routledge, 2018.

3. Haley, John Owen. Authority Without Power: Law and the Japanese Paradox. Oxford, 1994.

4. Dreyer, June Teufel. Middle Kingdom and Empire of the Rising Sun: Sino-Japanese Relations, Past and Present. Oxford, 2016.

5. Walker, Brett L. A Concise History of Japan. West Nyack: Cambridge University Press, 2015.

6. “Heian Period.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed October 8, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/event/Heian-period.

7. “Asuka Period.” Asuka period - New World Encyclopedia. Accessed October 8, 2021. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Asuka_period#Political_Development.

8. “Nara Period.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed October 8, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/event/Nara-period.