The diplomatic policy toward Japan during the days of King Kyungduk is investigated in connection with the trend of Buddhist community. Specifically the aim of Silla dynasty to send a large-scale delegation of about 700 people is studied, focusing on ...
The diplomatic policy toward Japan during the days of King Kyungduk is investigated in connection with the trend of Buddhist community. Specifically the aim of Silla dynasty to send a large-scale delegation of about 700 people is studied, focusing on the year 752.
Internationally Silla employed a pro-Tang policy to accept the advanced culture of Tang and to establish friendly relations while it was gradually alienated from Japan. The diplomatic relation between Silla and Japan was broken off finally in 743. In 752 after 10 years later Silla dispatched a large delegation headed by Kim Taeryum to Taejaebu in Japan, which is very exceptional considering the cold relations of that time.
The character of the dispatch in 572 is considered to be closely related to the construction of Tongdae temple. It is supposed that Japan asked Silla, where vigorous Buddhist activities was happening with Hawum as the center, for requisites to the construction of the temple. The delegation is presumed to visit Simsang, a learned priest of Hawum, who was staying at Taean temple in Japan and also to have trades in Taejaebu.