Yiwen Li, "Networks of Faith and Profit: Monks, Merchants, and Exchanges Between China and Japan, 839-1403 CE" (Cambridge UP, 2023)
Aug 13, 2023
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Yiwen Li, associate professor of history at City University of Hong Kong, discusses her book on the religio-commercial network between China and Japan. She explores the transition from tribute missions to collaborations between monks and merchants, the role of Chinese merchants in promoting Zen Buddhism in Japan, the concealed economic activities of Buddhist monks, and the influence of artisans and craftsmen on Sino-Japanese relations.
During the period from 839 to 1403 CE, the religious and commercial network between China and Japan underwent significant changes, involving collaboration between Buddhist monks and Chinese merchants, facilitating trade, cultural exchanges, and the spread of Buddhism.
The maritime trade between China and Japan during this period faced risks and challenges, leading to increased collaboration between monks and merchants, relying on powerful monasteries in Japan for protection and connections to navigate through these difficulties.
Deep dives
Evolution of Sino-Japanese Trade and Religious Network
During the period from 839 to 1403 CE, the religious and commercial network between China and Japan underwent significant changes. The network involved the collaboration between Buddhist monks and Chinese merchants, facilitating trade, cultural exchanges, and the spread of Buddhism. The monks and merchants engaged in a mutually beneficial relationship, with the monks seeking financial support and access to resources, while the merchants looked for protection and spiritual guidance. The network expanded geographically, and Chinese merchants even established a residential area called the Chinese culture in Hakata, Japan, promoting Zen Buddhism. Despite challenges such as riots and piracy along the China coast, the network persisted and adapted. The resumption of the tribute relationship between China and Japan during the Ming dynasty marked a transition in the network, with monks becoming part of tribute delegations, and monasteries engaging in tribute trade. The legacy of this period can still be seen in the connections between Buddhism, commerce, and cultural exchange in East Asia.
Impact of Maritime Ward and Accidents on Sino-Japanese Trade
The maritime trade between China and Japan during this period was not without risks and challenges. Riots and piracy along the China coast posed threats to trade, leading to greater collaboration between monks and merchants. They relied on the protection and connections of powerful monasteries in Japan to mitigate these risks. A notable case, known as the Voyage of the Wooden Planks, exemplifies the dynamic nature of this religious and commercial network. It involved the transportation of wooden planks from the jotenji monastery in Hakata, Japan, to the Jinshan monastery in China. The journey encountered accidents, leading to the detention of one ship for over a year. The incident highlights the complexities of maritime trade, the involvement of Chinese merchants, and the reliance on monastery connections to resolve issues. It exemplifies the resilience and fluidity of the network in navigating challenges.
The Role of Buddhist Monasteries and Merchants in Sino-Japanese Trade
Buddhist monasteries and merchants played crucial roles in facilitating Sino-Japanese trade during this period. Monasteries actively participated in trade, acquiring ritual objects, Buddhist scriptures, and funds for construction or repair. The material culture of monasteries became central in their activities, necessitating engagement in commerce. Monasteries cultivated relationships with powerful monasteries in Japan to gain support and patrons. Meanwhile, Chinese merchants relied on monks as messengers, acquaintances, and associates, benefiting from access to a larger client network. The collaboration between monks and merchants blurred the lines between the economic and spiritual realms. While monks sought financial resources for monastic affairs, merchants sought spiritual guidance and protection during perilous sea travel. This interdependence between Buddhism and commerce contributed to the development and prosperity of the religious and commercial network.
Resumption of Tribute Relationship and Legacy of the Network
The resumption of the tribute relationship between China and Japan marked a shift in the religious and commercial network. The establishment of the Ming dynasty in China led to a renewed focus on official diplomatic relations and the cessation of private trade. Monks became embassies in tribute delegations, and monasteries continued to participate in tribute trade. The network, while undergoing changes, maintained many key features of the previous religious and commercial network. Monks and merchants retained their roles and the integration between Buddhism and commerce continued. The tribute relationship's legacy can be seen in the enduring connections between Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, trade, and cultural exchange. The intricate and multifaceted nature of this network contributed to the understanding of ordinary people's involvement in historical events and the significance of integrating religious and economic spheres.
In her book, Networks of Faith and Profit: Monks, Merchants, and Exchanges Between China and Japan, 839-1403 CE(Cambridge UP, 2023), associate professor of history at City University of Hong Kong Yiwen Li studies the period when the tribute relationship between China and Japan was suspended. Although this official, diplomatic relationship ceased, Li reveals the related development of a vibrant religio-commercial network of Buddhist monks and merchants, who greatly facilitated both trade and Buddhist activity between China and Japan. Carefully analyzing a rich array of sources–both Chinese and Japanese–including Buddhist writings, letters, poems, legal records, archeological findings, and material culture, she recovers relationships vital to Sino-Japanese relations.
In this episode, Li shares how she first developed her research interests in Chinese and Japanese history. She then walks listeners through her book, considering major shifts in the network. She touches upon key figures and moments as monks shifted from practices and procedures developed during formal tribute missions to their collaborations with merchants, who helped transport them and material objects–both ritual and commercial–across the sea in exchange for access to their Buddhist networks and political connections. This network deepened over time, especially when Japanese authorities allowed Chinese merchants to permanently reside in Hakata, Japan, and they became important agents in the transmission of Zen Buddhism to Japan. Yiwen Li has crafted a solid, accessible history of maritime East Asia, shedding light on a private network that sustained Sino-Japanese commerce and religious exchange during a 600-year gap in formal tributary relations.
Laurie Dickmeyer is an Assistant Professor of History at Angelo State University, where she teaches courses in Asian and US history. Her research concerns nineteenth century US-China relations. She can be reached at laurie.dickmeyer@angelo.edu.
