Banquets that appear in the International relations of ancient East Asia

Abstract

The materials that provide a glimpse into ancient Japan’s drinking culture are the Manyoshu and Kaifumo. Alcohol in both collections of poetry is overwhelmingly related to banquets. Among these, the banquets held at diplomatic occasions were not simply drinking parties. Music, drinks, issues between the two countries, and the international situation were discussed in the informal meeting set up by the Prime ministe.In this article, I will explore the international situation in East Asia in the 8th century through banquets held at the private residence of King Nagaya in 724 and at the private residence of Fujiwara no Nakamaro in the Tenpyohoji era. In particular, I tried to explore aspects of the diplomacy that took place between Silla and Japan, and between Balhae and Japan. A banquet held at the residence of King Nagaya in 724, many writers of immigrant origin who felt close to the Silla envoys attended. The Nagaya-o’s banquet became a place of peaceful friendship between the two countries. However, the banquet held at Fujiwara no Nakamaro’s residence during the Tenpyohoji era became the center stage of international politics in line with the situation in East Asia. When Fuhito Fujiwara was prime minister, it was very rare for a minister to meet a foreign envoy directly. However, during the time of Nagayao, the prime minister actively intervened in diplomatic powers, which were the inherent powers of the monarch, and ministerial diplomacy was in full swing. Furthermore, it was at its peak during the time of Fujiwara Fuhito. The essence of ministerial diplomacy is for the prime minister to personally contact diplomatic missions and control all or part of the diplomatic powers inherent in the monarch.n other words, it can be said that the banquet for a minister held at a private residence is the measure of ministerial diplomacy, rather than an event for honoring guests.