japan 105In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 733, a flotilla of Japanese ships with
a congratulatory envoy from the Japanese court was blown off course
by a storm and landed in Su commandery in southern Chiang-su. The
local authorities reported this, whereupon Emperor Hsüan-tsung sent
a Secretarial Receptionist to Su commandery to call on the envoy
(Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5029).
In 734, envoys from the Jih-pen State offered 400 bolts of silken
fabrics, and in 735 they presented regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5029).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 753, envoys from Jih-pen offered
presents and congratulated. In the 6th month (July/Aug.) of the same
year, envoys arrived again (Chiu T’ang shu199A:14b;Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5030;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 324:46b). Chao Heng (Nakamura) accompa-
nied one of these missions and remained in China. He was appointed
a Regular Cavalier Attendant of the Left and Protector General of
Annam (Hsin T’ang shu 220:12a).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 778, envoys from the Jih-pen State
offered gifts. In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 780, another mission
offered regional objects (Hsin T’ang shu 220:12a-12b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5032;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 324:46b).
In the12th month (Jan./Feb., 805) of the Chinese year 804, a mission
from the Jih-pen State included the student Tachibana Hayanari and
the Buddhist monk Kåkai. They wished to remain in China for study
and stayed for over 20 years. Hayanari and others only went back
to Japan after a later envoy named Takashima Mabito urged their
return. The mission of 804 took leave in the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.)
of 805 and was given presents (Chiu T’ang shu 13:21b; 14:1b; 199A:
14b;Hsin T’ang shu 220:12a-12b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5032; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 324:46b-47a).
In 806, envoys from the Jih-pen State brought a letter. In the 12th
month (Dec./Jan., 839) of the Chinese year 838, they presented real
pearls and pongee (Chiu T’ang shu 17B:26a; 199A:14b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5033).
In the intercalary month (Feb./Mar.) of 839, envoys from Jih-pen
offered gifts (Chiu T’ang shu 199A:14b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5033; Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 324:47a).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 848, a mission from the Jih-pen
State, led by a prince, offered regional objects. In the 4th month
(May/June) of 853, another prince presented valuable vessels and