Insight: Japan's Culture Bond with China

[Aepsilons]

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

The traditional Japan is basically a mini carbon copy of the Tang Dynasty plus some local elements.

I think we don't need to explain this furthermore.

 

[Yizhi]

鉴真东渡? he was indeed a very determined monk.

is it true that 杨贵妃 really did flee to Japan? i recall seeing a picture of a temple to memorize her...

 

[TaiShang]

So, @Nihonjin1051 , any pictures of the Spring Festival being celebrated in Japan?

 

[grand]

So, @Nihonjin1051 , any pictures of the Spring Festival being celebrated in Japan?

i heard japan abandoned the lunar calendar they no longer celebrate lunar holidays.

 

[TaiShang]

i heard japan abandoned the lunar calendar they no longer celebrate lunar holidays.

Really? I did not know that. If so, that's a huge cultural loss.

 

[Aepsilons]

鉴真东渡? he was indeed a very determined monk.

Indeed he was very determined ! Years back when I was in Nara, i happened to visit the temple and there is a strong reverence for him there. Imagine the man passed away over 13 centuries ago , still, his memory is revered by the local monks and Japanese Buddhists !

Here is the route he took (imagine 6 attempts!)

And a beautiful artist's impression of Jianzhen's journey to Japan,

is it true that 杨贵妃 really did flee to Japan? i recall seeing a picture of a temple to memorize her...

Yes, wow you know a lot of Japanese legendary folklore ! Tho in Chinese annalects, --- it says that Yang was killed after the rebels seized the palace, some say that she killed herself by swallowing molten gold. But there are some academic sources in China and Japan that say that some of the generals, one named Chenxuan Li (陈玄 李) had pity on her because she was so beautiful.

Legends say that she was sent to Japan, which at that time was under the rule of Empress Koken. Upon hearing of the story of Yang and the duress she had experienced in China , the Most Imperial Empress granted Yang her own town a land to call her own -- located near Wakayama near present day Nara. When Her Imperial Majesty moved the capital of Japan to Kyoto, the Imperial Courtiers delivered a message to the Lady Yang to move to Kyoto -- as a special request of the Empress. In gratitude, Lady Yang acquiesced to the request, and there she lived till age 68. She remained a personal friend of the Empress Koken, in life and in death.

After the Lady Yang died, the Empress Koken was distraught in grief and declared that another village be created in honor and memory of Lady Yang. To this day, in Yamaguchi Prefecture there is a historical village named "Yang Village", its histories date back to the time when Lady Yang passed.

This is a bridge leading to Yang Village, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Yang village is located to the right....


--------

孝謙天皇
Her Imperial Majesty, The Empress Koken
Empress of the Japanese Empire

 

[Pangu]

I'm glad to read this thread away from the shit storm out there, lol. Thanks for sharing & keep up the good work!

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

More culture exchange between Japan and China is better for our tow countries, I saw Korean actor/actress and singers came to perform in China, I only hope to see the same with Japanese, more exchange will only consolidate our relation.

 

[Genesis]

Yes, wow you know a lot of Japanese legendary folklore ! Tho in Chinese annalects, --- it says that Yang was killed after the rebels seized the palace, some say that she killed herself by swallowing molten gold. But there are some academic sources in China and Japan that say that some of the generals, one named Chenxuan Li (陈玄 李) had pity on her because she was so beautiful.

She was with the emperor when she died. The troops refused to fight if she is alive and the emperor ordered her death.

Strangled to death.

 

[Aepsilons]

She was with the emperor when she died. The troops refused to fight if she is alive and the emperor ordered her death.

Strangled to death.

There are, indeed, various accounts.

 

[Genesis]

There are, indeed, various accounts.

there are different versions, slightly, of what exactly happened those few days, but what I said is what is recorded in the official history books, not made by the CCP, if that's what you are thinking.

I don't think folklore has any place in history.

If you are to trace the origins of those accounts, the swallowing of gold is from one poem, a great poet, but a poem never the less.

The death by soldiers is also from poems.

My version is confirmed by both the official history books of the time.

旧唐书, 资治通鉴, 新唐书 and more.

 

[Yizhi]

Yes, wow you know a lot of Japanese legendary folklore ! Tho in Chinese annalects, --- it says that Yang was killed after the rebels seized the palace, some say that she killed herself by swallowing molten gold. But there are some academic sources in China and Japan that say that some of the generals, one named Chenxuan Li (陈玄 李) had pity on her because she was so beautiful.

well, it's somewhat Chinese legend too, people who love her beauty wish she had fled to Japan and died from old age instead of ordered to be strangled.
the famous poet Bai Juyi 白居易 wrote poem 长恨歌 after her story.
"九重城闕煙塵生，千乘萬騎西南行。
翠華搖搖行復止，西出都門百餘里。
六軍不發無奈何，宛轉蛾眉馬前死。
花鈿委地無人收，翠翹金雀玉搔頭。
君王掩面救不得，回看血淚相和流。
黃埃散漫風蕭索，雲棧縈紆登劍閣。
峨嵋山下少人行，旌旗無光日色薄。
蜀江水碧蜀山青，聖主朝朝暮暮情。
行宮見月傷心色，夜雨聞鈴腸斷聲。"
the part about how she died. very sentimental. tragic love story.

 

[Genesis]

well, it's somewhat Chinese legend too, people who love her beauty wish she had fled to Japan and died from old age instead of ordered to be strangled.
the famous poet Bai Juyi 白居易 wrote poem 长恨歌 after her story.
"九重城闕煙塵生，千乘萬騎西南行。
翠華搖搖行復止，西出都門百餘里。
六軍不發無奈何，宛轉蛾眉馬前死。
花鈿委地無人收，翠翹金雀玉搔頭。
君王掩面救不得，回看血淚相和流。
黃埃散漫風蕭索，雲棧縈紆登劍閣。
峨嵋山下少人行，旌旗無光日色薄。
蜀江水碧蜀山青，聖主朝朝暮暮情。
行宮見月傷心色，夜雨聞鈴腸斷聲。"
the part about how she died. very sentimental. tragic love story.

it was tragic her family robbed the country blind?

 

[Aepsilons]

it was tragic her family robbed the country blind?

It was tragic how some historical accounts claim how she met her demise.