Japanese missions to Tang China
Japanese missions to Tang China represent Japanese efforts to learn from the Chinese culture and civilization in the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries. The nature of these contacts evolved gradually from political and ceremonial acknowledgment to cultural exchanges; and the process accompanied the growing commercial ties which developed over time.
Between 607 and 838, Japan sent 19 missions to China. Knowledge and learning was the principal objective of each expedition. For example: Priests studied Chinese Buddhism. Officials studied Chinese government. Doctors studied Chinese medicine. Painters studied Chinese painting. Approximately one third of those who embarked from Japan did not survive to return home.
| Year | Sender | Japanese envoys | Chinese monarch | Comments |
| 630-632 | Jomei | Inugami no Mitasuki Kusushi Enichi | Taizong | Accompanied on return by Tang emissary Gao Biaoren |
| 653-654 | Kotoku | Kishi no Nagani Kishi no Koma Takada no Nemaro Kanimori no Omaro | Gaozong | Vessel carrying Takada no Nemaro foundered on outward journey near the island of Takeshima in Satsuma Province |
| 654-655 | Kōtoku | Takamuko no Kuromaro Kawabe no Maro Kusushi Enichi | Gaozong | Takamuko died in China |
| 659-661 | Saimei | Sakaibe no Iwashiki Tsumori no Kisa Iki no Hakatoko | Gaozong | Sakaibe died during the trip |
| 665-667 | Tenji | Mori no Ōishi Sakaibe no Iwatsumi | Gaozong | May have transported Tang emissary Liu Degao to army stationed at old Paekche garrison |
| 667-668 | Tenji | Iki no Hakatoko Kasa no Moroishi | Gaozong | Transported Tang emissary Sima Facong to army stationed at old Paekche garrison |
| 669-670 | Tenji | Kawachi no Kujira | Gaozong | Celebrated subjugation of Koguryŏ |
| 702-704 | Mommu | Awata no Mahito Takahashi no Kasama Sakaibe no Ōkita Yamanoue no Okura Kose no Ōji | Wu Zetian | Kose no Ōji returned home in 707; Awata no Mahito returned in 718 |
| 717-718 | Genshō | Tajihi no Agatamori Abe no Yasumaro Ōtomo no Yamamori Fujiwara no Umakai | Xuanzong | Awata no Mahito returned in 718; students Abe no Nakamaro and Kibi no Makibi as well as monk Genbō joined this embassy |
| 733-734 | Shōmu | Tajihi no Hironari Nakatomi no Nashiro | Xuanzong | 4 ships set out on this voyage, and one ship returned in 734; another ship returned in 736; Magistrate Heguri no Hironari returned in 739 |
| 746- | Shōmu | Isonokami no Otomaro | Xuanzong | cancelled |
| 750-753 | Kōken | Fujiwara no Kiyokawa Ōtomo no Komaro Kibi no Makibi | Xuanzong | Ship carrying Fujiwara no Kiyokawa and Abe no Nakamaro shipwrecked in Annam; both became Tang officials and never returned home |
| 761-761 | Junnin | Kō Gendo | Suzong | With aim of retrieving Kiyokawa, traveled with Balhae ambassador returning home via Balhae; returned home with send-off by Tang emissary Shen Weiyue |
| 761- | Junnin | Naka no Iwatomo Isonokami no Yakatsugu Fujiwara no Tamaro | Suzong | cancelled due to damage to vessels |
| 762- | Junnin | Nakatomi no Takanushi Koma no Hiroyama | Daizong | Cancelled due to lack of favorable wind |
| 777-778 | Kōnin | Saeki no Imaemishi Ōtomo no Masutate Fujiwara no Takatori Ono no Iwane Ōmiwa no Suetari | Daizong | All four vessels shipwrecked en route home; Ono no Iwane and Tang emissary Zhao Baoying died |
| 779-781 | Kōnin | Fuse no Kiyonao | Dezong | Tang emissary Sun Xingjin 孫興進 et al. sent off at Mingzhou |
| 804-805 | Kammu | Fujiwara no Kadonomaro Ishikawa no Michimasu | Dezong | 4 ships on this mission; vessel 3 shipwrecked at Hirado on the outward journey; news of vessel 4 unknown; Kūkai and Saichō joined this embassy |
| 838-839 | Ninmyō | Fujiwara no Tsunetsugu Ono no Takamura | Wenzong | Vessel 3 shipwrecked soon after departure at Tsukushi; its 140 passengers did not reach China; the monks Ennin and Ensai on board; passengers on vessels 1 and 4 hired Silla vessels and split up for the voyage home; returning in 839 with a letter from Chinese emperor; vessel 2 returned home in 840 |
| 894- | Uda | Sugawara no Michizane Ki no Haseo | Zhaozong | cancelled |