Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.5, 2017

 

Early Ming-Japanese Negotiations and the“King of Japan” (Abstract)

 

Wang Laite

 

During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, “King Lianghuai of Japan,” was the main subject of negotiations between the Ming and Japan. The “Lianghuai” recorded in Chinese history was actually the General of the West, Kaneyoshi, who controlled Kyushu under Japan’s Southern Court. With the victory of the Northern Court of the Ashikaga Shogunate, tribute missions continued to arrive at the Ming court in the name of Lianghuai. The “phantom image” of Kaneyoshi should not be understood as an outcome of the first Ming emperor’s firm distinction between Chinese and barbarians, but rather as a negotiating device jointly constructed by the Ming and Japan. However, the emperor’s continuous “rejection of tribute” from Japan objectively provided favorable international conditions for Japan’s move from division to unification.