The History of China–Japan Relations : From Ancient World to Modern International Order

Focusing on the ancient, medieval, and early-modern eras, this collection considers the beginnings of Sino-Japanese Relations in the Ancient East Asian World, focusing on changes of the East Asian international system. It examines the establishment of the East Asian International Order in the 7th Century and the advance of Sino- Japanese relations in medieval times. It also considers the impact of initial contact with modern Western powers on modernization, and examines the points of rupture which deeply affected both cultures, for China the Opium War, and for Japan it the Black Ships of Commodore Matthew Perry and the Meiji Restoration. Based on research conducted jointly by Chinese and Japanese scholars, this collection provides a unique insight into the development of Chinese and Japanese culture from comparative perspectives, offering an in-depth study of the countries��� political, religious and societal structures to deepen objective perception toward history and promote mutual understanding in East Asia Introduction Contents List of Contributors Chapter 1 Preface: China–Japan Relations in the Ancient East Asian World 1 On the Origins of the Chinese and Japanese Races Possible Point of Origin 1: The Middle and Lower Reaches of China’s Yellow River Possible Point of Origin 2: China’s Yangtze River Basin and Jianghuai Region Possible Point of Origin 3: The Dongbei Region of China 2 On the Relationship Between the Chinese and Japanese Cultures in Ancient Times 3 On the Uniqueness of Ancient Japanese Culture 4 The East Asian Tributary System and China–Japan Relations 5 Conclusion Part I Transformations in the Order and Systems of East Asia Chapter 2 The Establishment of the East Asian International Order in the Seventh Century 1 Early International Relations in East Asia 2 The Battle of Baekgang and International Relations in East Asia 3 The Impact of Silla’s Unification Upon International Relations in East Asia 4 The Founding of the Kingdom of Balhae and the Origins of International Relations in East Asia Chapter 3 The East Asian International Order and China–Japan Relations in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries 1 The Ming Dynasty Imperial Tribute System 2 The Tributary Relationship Between China and Japan 3 Trade in East Asia 4 Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Disruption of Regional Order Part II The Transmission of Chinese Culture and Manifestations of the Uniqueness of Japanese Culture Chapter 4 The Transmission and Transformation of Thought and Religion 1 The Introduction of Ancient Chinese Culture into Japan Aspects of Chinese Culture Introduced into Japan Chinese Characters Confucianism Religious Daoism Chinese Buddhism Unique Characteristics of the Transmission Process Continuity Diverse Channels of Transmission Breadth and Depth of Influence 2 Adaptation and Innovation in the Process of Importing Chinese Culture into Ancient Japan The Invention of Katakana Characters The Application of Chinese Cosmology and History by the Compilers of “Kiki myth” The Absorption and Adaptation of Elements of Daoism The Origin and Ascendance of Edo Period Kokugaku The Creation of Bushido 3 The Formation of Japanese Culture and Its Distinguishing Characteristics The Formation of Self-Consciousness and the Development of Folk Culture Distinguishing Characteristics of Japanese Culture 4 The Relationship Between Ancient Chinese Culture and Japanese Traditional Culture Similar Cultural Typologies Diverse Cultural Typologies and Their Political Impact Chapter 5 Movement of People and Goods 1 Eastward Migration from Continental Asia Xu Fu and the “Kingdom of Qin” The “Descendants of Wu Taibo” Theory Migrants from Wu, Qin, and Han Sankakubuchi Shinjūkyō Mirrors 2 Transmission of Information and Circulation of Goods From the Envoys to Sui to the Envoys to Tang The Sources and Impact of the “Tang Bulletins” Tributes to and Gifts from the Imperial Court 3 The Background and Motivation of Chinese Travels to Japan Frequent Maritime Accidents Chinese Envoys to Japan The Background of Jianzhen’s Travels to Japan 4 The China–Japan “Book Road” Treasures of Shōsō-in The Mission of the Envoys to Tang Channels for the Transmission of Books to Japan The Circulation of Japanese Kanbun Texts Part III Chinese and Japanese Society—A Comparison of Mutual Understandings and Historical Characteristics Chapter 6 China and Japan—Mutual Understandings 1 Overview and Distinguishing Characteristics of Ancient Chinese Understandings of Japan Distinguishing Characteristics Historical Periods Routes and Channels Media 2 Records of Japan in Ancient Chinese “Annals and Biographies” Type Orthodox Histories Records of the Historian and The Book of Han Records of the Three Kingdoms and The Book of the Later Han The Book of Jin, The Book of Song, The Book of Southern Qi, The Book of Liang, History of Southern Dynasties, History of Northern Dynasties The Book of Sui Old Book of Tang and New Book of Tang History of Song and History of Yuan History of Ming 3 Images of Japan in Ancient Chinese Literature Northern and Southern Dynasties Period Poetry and Prose Tang Dynasty Poetry Song and Yuan Dynasty Poetry and Prose Ming Dynasty Poetry and Prose Qing Dynasty Poetry, Prose, and Theater 4 Understandings of Japan in Ming and Qing Dynasty Civilian Research Works Ming Dynasty Works Early Qing Dynasty Works 5 Chinese and Japanese Mutual Understandings in Ancient Times: Historical Lessons Contributing Factors Hindrances Chapter 7 A Comparison of Chinese and Japanese Political and Social Structures 1 Chinese and Japanese Emperors 2 The Imperial Examination System and Japan The Imperial Examination System in China Emulation of the Chinese Imperial Examination System in Japan Reasons Why the Japanese Imperial Examination Was Quickly Abolished The Impact of the Lack of an Imperial Examination System upon Japanese Social Development 3 The Law Systems and Land Systems of Tang China and Japan A Comparison of the Order of the Provisions of the Chinese and Japanese “Farmland Ordinances” and Their Essential Content The Japanese Land Allotment System and the Granting of Farmland in Heavily Populated Areas of Tang China 4 Fundamental Similarities and Differences in Tang Chinese and Japanese Methods of Granting Land to Civilian Households 5 Japanese Civilian Households Were Granted Far Less Land Than the Amounts Prescribed by the Tang Chinese “Farmland Ordinance” 6 Why Did the Japanese “Farmland Ordinance” Grant Only Non-Inheritable Farmland to Civilian Households? 7 The Chinese Centralized Authority System and the Shogunate System