Diplomacy between Silla and Japan in the 9th century seen through the diplomatic document of Silla Jipsa-seong

This paper is aimed at approaching the diplomatic relations between Silla and Japan in the 9th century and the realities based on the general understanding of the diplomatic document of ‘Silla Jipsa-seong.’ The diplomatic document of ‘Silla Jipsa-seong’ was sent to Dajokan. As this document not only reflects the circumstances of the time, but also reflects the diplomatic issues which were developing around Japan’s diplomatic mission to Tang Dynasty and diplomatic status intended by Silla, it is a valuable data for explaining diplomatic relations between Silla and Japan. In short, according to the document of ‘Silla Jipsa-seong,’ Japan tried to enforce a diplomatic tool called ‘Gaoyu’ based on Sinocentrism in the process of diplomatic negotiations developing around the dispatch of the diplomatic mission, while Silla was aimed at the restoration of relationship as equal neighbors following the precedent of ‘resumption of diplomatic relations’ during the King Aejang era. Most of all, the gap in diplomatic perceptions between the two countries at the time worked as a significant obstacle to friendly relations between the two countries.