Envoy to the Balhae

Official envoys were sent from Japan to Balhae 13 times between 728 (Jinki 5) and 811 (Kōnin 2). Negotiations between Japan and Balhae (698-926) began in 727 with the arrival of Balhae envoys, with the first envoy sent the following year. Balhae's purpose in coming to Japan was to break the deadlock in their conflict with the Tang Dynasty, in which they were being attacked from both sides by the Tang and Silla, but Japan also began sending envoys to Balhae to use it as a route to travel to the Tang Dynasty while avoiding Silla. When relations between Balhae and the Tang Dynasty were eventually restored, the nature of Japan-Balhae diplomatic relations changed from political to economic and cultural, with Japan bringing silk thread, textiles, and lacquer, and Balhae bringing high-quality furs, carrots, honey, and other products. Balhae envoys visited Japan 34 times by 919 (Engi 19).

[Yasutami Suzuki]

"Studies on the History of the Balhae Nation and the History of Diplomatic Relations with Japan" by Toshihisa Niitsuma (1969, Tokyo Denki University Press)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

728年（神亀5）から811年（弘仁2）にかけて日本から渤海に13回にわたって派遣された公式の使節。日本と渤海（698～926）との交渉は727年の渤海使来日に始まり、翌年初めて遣使が行われた。渤海の来日の目的は、唐と対立し、唐・新羅(しらぎ)から挟撃された形勢を打開することにあったが、日本も新羅を避けて渡唐する経路として渤海を利用するために派遣を開始した。やがて渤海と唐との関係が修復されると、日渤国交の性格も政治的なものから経済・文化的なものへ変質し、日本は絹糸、織物、漆などをもたらし、渤海からは高級毛皮、ニンジン、蜂蜜(はちみつ)などがもたらされた。渤海使の来日は、919年（延喜19）まで34回に及ぶ。

［鈴木靖民］

『新妻利久著『渤海国史及び日本との国交史の研究』（1969・東京電機大学出版局）』

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