Name/TitleTōseiden emaki) 東征伝絵巻: Illustrated scroll of Jianzhen's mission to Japan, Tōshōdaiji (唐招提寺), Japan
About this objectBetween 607 to 838, Japan sent 19 diplomatic missions to the Tang court on mainland China, the last of which carried the monk, Ennin (圓仁) [EXH92]. The missions were large—up to 600 people—and included students and monks.
A returning mission in 753 successfully carried the Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑒真 688–763). This was his sixth attempt to reach Japan as all his other voyages had failed.
This picture scroll, made in 1298, depicts his voyage and has been used to recreate the mission ships of this time, as seen in a 2001 full-sized replica.
Not all missions were successful in reaching China—or in a safe return—and there were numerous shipwrecks. Four ships returning from a mission in 778 were all wrecked and both the Japanese and Chinese envoys died.
Date Made1298
PeriodKamakura period
Place MadeJapan
Subject and Association KeywordsShips
Subject and Association KeywordsPilgrimage
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Jun 2019
