Japanese missions to Joseon represent a crucial aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Japan contacts and communication. [1] The bilateral exchanges were intermittent.
The unique nature of these bilateral diplomatic exchanges evolved from a conceptual framework developed by the Chinese. [2] Gradually, the theoretical model would be modified. The changing model mirrors the evolution of a unique relationship between two neighboring states. [3]
In 1377 Goryeo envoy Jeong Mongju travelled to Tsukushi in Japan where he met Imagawa Ryōshun; [4] and the consequences of his efforts were only seen later.
The Muromachi bafuku's diplomatic contacts and communication with the Joseon court encompassed informal contacts and formal embassies. Muromachi diplomacy also included the more frequent and less formal contacts involving the Japanese daimyo (feudal lord) of Tsushima Island.
In addition, trade missions between merchants of the area were frequent and varied. [5]
Year | Sender | Japanese chief envoy | Joseon monarch | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
1403 | Ashikaga Yoshimochi | – | Taejo | . |
1404 | Ashikaga Yoshimitsu [6] | – | Taejong | . |
1432 | Ashikaga Yoshinori [7] | – | Sejong | . |
1447-1448 | Ashikaga Yoshinari | Zuikei Shūhō (瑞渓周鳳) | Sejong | Akamatsu Samanosuke (赤松左馬助 ; 赤松則繁) came back from Korea and plotted an uprising, but he was found guilty and sentenced to death, his head was sent to Kyoto |
1456 | Ashikaga Yoshimasa [8] | – | Sejo | The shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a letter to Sejo, the king of Korea. |
1474 | Ashikaga Yoshihisa [9] | – | Seongjong | The shōgun sent an embassy asking to the emperor of China for a seal. |
1499 | Ashikaga Yoshizumi [10] | – | Yeonsangun | . |
In the Edo period of Japanese history, diplomatic missions were construed as benefiting the Japanese as legitimizing propaganda and as a key element in an emerging manifestation of Japan's ideal vision of the structure of an international order with Edo as its center. [15]
Japanese-Joseon bilateral relations were affected by the increasing numbers of international contacts which required adaptation and a new kind of diplomacy. [16]
The Korea-Japan Treaty of 1876 marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. [16]
The Ashikaga shogunate, also known as the Muromachi shogunate, was the feudal military government of Japan during the Muromachi period from 1336 to 1573.
Ashikaga Yoshikazu was the fifth shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1423 to 1425 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshikazu was the son of the fourth shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimochi.
Ashikaga Yoshimochi was the fourth shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
Tenshō (天正) was a Japanese era name after Genki and before Bunroku. This period spanned the years from July 1573 through December 1592. The reigning emperors were Ōgimachi-tennō (正親町天皇) and Go-Yōzei-tennō (後陽成天皇).
Ōei (応永) was a Japanese era name after Meitoku and before Shōchō. This period spanned the years from July 1394 through April 1428. Reigning emperors were Go-Komatsu-tennō (後小松天皇,) and Shōkō-tennō (称光天皇).
The Joseon Tongsinsa (Korean: 조선통신사) were goodwill missions sent intermittently, at the request of the resident Japanese authority, by Joseon dynasty Korea to Japan. The Korean noun identifies a specific type of diplomatic delegation and its chief envoys. From the Joseon diplomatic perspective, the formal description of a mission as a tongsinsa signified that relations were largely "normalized," as opposed to missions that were not called tongsinsa.
Yun Sunji (1591–1666) was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty Korea in the 17th century.
Im Gwang (1579–1644) was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty Korea.
Byeon Hyo-mun (1396–?) was a Korean civil minister (munsin) from the Chogye Byeon clan during the early period of Korean Joseon Dynasty. He briefly served as a diplomat and an ambassador, representing Joseon interests in the Tongsinsa to the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan.
Song Hui-gyeong (1376–1446) was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty Korea in the 15th century.
Bak Don-ji of the Miryang Bak clan, was a Korean scholar-bureaucrat, diplomat, and ambassador, representing Joseon interests in the tongsinsa to the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan. He lived from the late Goryeo until the early Joseon periods.
Bak Seo-saeng (?-?) was a Korean civil minister (munsin) in the 15th century during the early period of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Bak was also diplomat and ambassador, representing Joseon interests in the Tongsinsa to the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan.
Yang Su was a Korean diplomat and ambassador, representing Joseon interests in a diplomatic mission to the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan.
Joseon missions to Japan represent a crucial aspect of the international relations of mutual Joseon-Japanese contacts and communication. In sum, these serial diplomatic ventures illustrate the persistence of Joseon's kyorin diplomacy from 1392 to 1910.
Bak Hui-jung (1364–?) was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty Korea in 14th and 15th centuries.
Yun Myeong (?-?) was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty Korea in the 15th century.
Yeo Ui-son was a Korean civil minister (munsin) and diplomat from the Hamyang Yeo clan during the early period of the Joseon dynasty. Yeo served as the first governor (moksa) of the Jeju Island and a Jeonseo (minister). He also was sent to Japan as a diplomat representing Joseon.
Bak An-sin (1369–1447) was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty Korea in the 15th century.
Joseon diplomacy was the foreign policy of the Joseon dynasty of Korea from 1392 through 1910; and its theoretical and functional foundations were rooted in Neo-Confucian scholar-bureaucrats, institutions and philosophy.
Goryeo missions to Japan represent a crucial aspect of the international relations of mutual Goryeo-Japanese contacts and communication, especially during the years in which there were no official contacts between the leaders of Goryeo and the leaders of Japan.