What was the relationship between China and Japan in the Tang Dynasty?

They were independent, but at that time, Japan highly respected China culture, and sent envoys to learn China's advanced culture, management system, science and technology, agriculture and other aspects, which had a far-reaching impact on Japan's later development. At present, Tang Wenhua culture can still see the shadow of China and Japanese.

During the 264 years from the beginning of the 7th century to the end of the 9th century, in order to learn China culture, the Japanese sent more than a dozen missions to the Tang Dynasty. Its high frequency, large scale, long time and rich content are unprecedented in the history of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange. Sending envoys to the Tang Dynasty made great contributions to the development of Japanese society and friendly exchanges between China and Japan.

Extended data:

In ancient times, Japan was a political system of combining politics with religion. In order to change the backward situation and make itself stronger, it is necessary to learn advanced political, economic and cultural systems from the Tang Dynasty, so the Japanese government made up its mind to send its own envoys to the Tang Dynasty.

The purpose of sending envoys in the Tang Dynasty is to learn from China and absorb the culture of the Tang Dynasty, so it attaches great importance to the selection of mission personnel, especially officials such as envoys, ambassadors, judges and clerks. Because of their education and experience, father and son were appointed envoys one after another, which was beneficial to learn from the Tang Dynasty.

Doctors, musicians, painters, and craftsmen from all walks of life who entered the Tang Dynasty also had roots in their own industries, which were highly valued by the Tang people and benefited from them. The diplomatic envoys in Tang Dynasty imported a large number of books recording China's classics and history, and China culture swept the upper class of Japanese feudal society and penetrated into thoughts, literature, art and customs.

In order to promote Japanese civilization and better control Japanese social order, Buddhism, as the basis and spiritual weapon of Japanese politics, has multiple purposes of promoting Japanese politics, economy and culture. For all countries in the world at that time, the control of Buddhism could make the country get rid of the shackles of the old traditional political system, make the domestic subjects obedient and respect the will of the ruling class, and then rank among the advanced countries.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Tang Dynasty

Baidu Encyclopedia-Japan

Baidu Encyclopedia-Messenger of the Tang Dynasty