The relationship with China in ancient Japan is a very important factor in knowing Japan at that time.
Prince Shotoku (King Kado) dispatched a mission to Sui, a powerful country at that time [ Sui ] And succeeded in strengthening Japan's position in diplomatic relations.
Time has passed, and in 618, it was stronger than China [ Tang . ] Is born, which will lead to the Taika Reform aiming to become a centralized nation centered on the emperor. The system of the Ritsuryo nation based on the Taiho Ritsuryo completed in 701, and learned from Tang Heijokyo I made.
It was [ Japanese envoy to Tang that conveyed the knowledge for national development and the ideal state of the city to Japan. 】is.
What is the envoy to Tang?
The envoy to Tang is a dispatched envoy sent from Japan to Tang, which lasted from 630 to 894.
It is said that about 20 dispatches were made until it was abolished by the proposal of Sugawara no Michizane.
* There are various theories about this number of times.
The purpose was to learn the latest culture and advanced techniques from Tang more than the previous missions to Sui. I am going to study abroad from Japan to Tang, but average study abroad period is about 20 years So, after a long study abroad life, I was promised a career advancement. It was a human resource that was needed in Japan at that time.
The Sheng Tang Dynasty and the System for Appointment of Officials
[ Tang at that time when I was studying abroad ] What kind of country was it?
The Tang dynasty is said to have continued from 618 to 907, and in the early 700s, it reached its heyday even in its long dynasty. During this period, the culture of their own country was advanced, and treasures were shared to subdue neighboring countries. Such diplomacy will be successful, the conflicts that occurred frequently in the Sui dynasty will be reduced, and the situation in East Asia will be centered on Tang.
Tang will create a mechanism to attract excellent human resources in order to run a strong nation.
This is the Imperial Examination is.
Imperial Examination Is a test conducted to promote a competent person as an official, regardless of family status or status.
This system gave me a chance to get ahead and earn a lot of money, even if I was poor or poor. The pass rate was also an order of magnitude, and the number was about 1% to 2%.
The good thing about this examination was that even non-Tang people had a way to become bureaucrats if they passed the exam.
It seems that there was a Japanese who passed the examination of the Imperial Examination, which was said to be such a difficult task.
Its name is Abe no Nakamaro said. He was loved by the Tang emperor at that time and was promoted. Therefore, he was not allowed to return to Japan and will fulfill his duties as a Tang bureaucrat for the rest of his life.
The story goes awry, but why Abe no Nakamaro Did he try to become a bureaucrat after receiving the Imperial Examination?
At that time, Tang was responsible for the costs of studying abroad for international students. However, as international students come from many countries, it begins to put pressure on Tang's finances.
Therefore, Tang will bear the cost for 10 years . And set the period.
The period of study abroad for Japanese people in Tang is about 20 years, and you have to earn the cost for the remaining 10 years by yourself. It is believed that Abe no Nakamaro took the examination for the Imperial Examination due to such financial circumstances.
What the envoy to Tang brought to Japan
The story is off, but what did the envoys sent to Tang bring back after returning to Japan?
Politics
At that time, Japan was aiming to become a centralized nation centered on the emperor.
The envoys to Tang brought the latest academic achievements such as Buddhism and law into the country in order to run the nation. The result is Ritsuryo system is.
Buddhism
Many Buddhist scriptures are left in the treasures of Shosoin in Tenpyo culture. From that, we know that many Buddhist scriptures were imported. In a previous article I wrote that Buddhism is a science that enriches the country. It seems that there was such a background that Emperor Shomu, who was strongly influenced by the Tang culture at that time, tried to protect the country with the power of Buddhism.
Medical
The envoy to Tang has improved medical aspects and incorporated knowledge of medical techniques and medicines to heal patients and injured people. It is said that this technology was useful for how to prevent the spread of the plague at that time and for the treatment of injured people after the war.
Around 874, the Huang Chao turbulence occurred, Luoyang and Chang'an fell, and Qi (880–884) was established, and the Tang dynasty weakened.
For this reason, the dispatch of the envoy to Tang will be suspended by a proposal by Sugawara no Michizane, the envoy to Tang in 894. This seems to have the implication of resuming rather than stopping immediately.
However, the Tang dynasty continued, and Sugawara no Michizane was relegated due to the change of Masayasu, the ambassador of the envoy to Tang was lost, and the envoy to Tang came to an end when Tang was destroyed in 907.