In those days, Japan was eager to absorb virtually anything related to Chinese culture particularly the imperial governance system, Buddhism, Confucian teachings, as well as their goods and artifacts. For this purpose, Japan sent its missions to China, twenty in all, consisting of high-ranking officials, imperial administrators, scholars, Buddhist monks, craftsmen and more. Now, let me introduce you to two prominent figures: a Japanese administrator and a Chinese Buddhist pundit. 

Abeno Nakamaro (698-770) hailed from a noble family who went to China in 717 as a student. He studied in Tang China’s capital, Changan, now Xian and became a junior official there. Incidentally, Japanese ancient capitals, Nara and Kyoto, were both modeled after Changan. Nakamaro managed to climb the ladder and at onetime was an official in charge of the Chinese literary world; his relationship with Chinese poets included Tang’s well-known poets, like Li Bai and Du Fu. His stay in Changan lasted for more than 30 years and when the tenth mission arrived in China in 752, Nakamaro was allowed to return to Japan at long last with the returning mission.

However, it was unfortunate that his ship went adrift to the south. Eventually, he managed to return to Changan but his hope to return home was dashed. So, Nakamaro continued his service to the Chinese emperor, who made him a high official in Annan, one of the Tang protectorates, which is today’s Vietnam. He died in China at the age of 72. 

Here is a poem by Nakamaro depicting his longing for Nara (a Google translation). “If you look at the fields of heaven, it will be Kasuga (a place in Nara). Maybe it will be the moon that appears over Mikasa Mountain (a mountain east of Nara)”　

A monument to Abeno Nakamaro in Xian.

Now, let’s turn to Jianzhen (688-763), an outstanding Buddhist pundit, who came to Japan in 753 to teach the precepts of Buddhism. Also, Jianzhen introduced to Japan, Tiantai Buddhism, which in time became one of the most influential Buddhist teachings. He spent the rest of his life in Japan. What prompted him to go to Japan in the first place? It was usually the Japanese Buddhists who went to China and acquired new and different Buddhist teachings from time to time. 

               The statue of Jianzhen, a national treasure, is kept at “Toshodaiji”,                 a Buddhist temple that he opened in Nara. 

As is well known, Buddhism was introduced to Japan through Korea in the Sixth Century. At first, this new religion faced a mixed reception at home. There was strong opposition to Buddhism by a group of people who objected that it infringed on the indigenous religion. Subsequently, those in favor of Buddhism prevailed. However, there were issues related to rules and norms as to those who teach Buddhism. Initially, Buddhist monks happened to be those who just proclaimed themselves as such. So, the imperial court decided to ask a prominent Chinese Buddhist pundit, well versed in precepts, to come over to Japan.

So, Jianzhen decided to comply with the request. He first set sail in 743 but the voyage failed. His next attempt also failed. Incredibly, it was his sixth attempt that finally brought him to Japan in 753. It took ten years and during the time, Jianzhen lost his eyesight. In Nara, he opened a Buddhist temple, “Toshodaiji.” The photo below shows the temple’s main building, the latest refurbishment of which was completed in 2009.    

                                              (The photo by Naokijp)

Let me show you sea routes taken by the Japanese missions.

                                           (The photo by Pachopi)

A recreated ship used by the Japanese missions. For each mission, 4 ships were used, each carried about 100 crew and passengers. Can you believe that those ships did not have any kind of compass at all? The last mission took place in 894; a decade later the Tang dynasty collapsed.

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