Ono no Imoko’s Mission to the Sui Dynasty

On August 1, 607, the official dispatch of Ono no Imoko as an envoy to the Sui dynasty of China marked a pivotal moment in the diplomatic history between Japan and China. This event occurred under the reign of Empress Suiko of Japan and the regency of Prince Shōtoku, who was instrumental in advancing the cultural and political connections between the two nations.

Historical Context

In the early 7th century, Japan sought to strengthen its ties with continental powers through diplomatic and cultural exchanges. At the time, China was under the rule of the Sui dynasty, which had reunified the country following the fragmentation of the previous period. Prince Shōtoku, a progressive reformer, aimed to modernize Japan by incorporating ideas and systems from China, including Buddhism, Confucianism, and governmental practices.

The Mission’s Objectives

The dispatch led by Ono no Imoko was part of these broader efforts to establish diplomatic relations and to gather knowledge that could aid Japan’s internal governance reforms. The mission had multiple goals:

1. Establishing Formal Relations: By sending an envoy, Japan desired to initiate formal relations and gain recognition from the powerful Chinese empire.
2. Cultural Exchange: Imoko’s mission served as an opportunity to acquire Chinese cultural, religious, and administrative knowledge that could be adapted to the Japanese context.
3. Message of Equality: The official wording in the diplomatic letter from Japan to China depicted an assertion of Japan’s sovereign equality with the Sui Empire, referring to the Japanese ruler as “the Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun.”

Significance and Consequences

The dispatch of Ono no Imoko is significant for several reasons:

• Political Assertion: The bold declaration of equality with China in the diplomatic correspondence provided Japan a confident platform to engage in international diplomacy.
• Cultural Exchange: The mission facilitated a flow of ideas, fostering the development of Japan’s classical age. It helped spur the Taika Reforms (starting in 645), which transformed the Japanese government along Chinese lines.
• Strengthened Relations: Establishing connections with China enabled Japan to participate actively in the East Asian cultural sphere, influencing its societal, political, and economic structures.

Ono no Imoko’s mission thus laid the groundwork for a period of significant cultural and political transformation within Japan, with long-lasting effects on its history.