student-priests

Updated: May 2, 2025

The importance attached to intercourse with China during the reign of Kotoku was illustrated by the dimensions of the embassies sent to the Tang Court and by the quality of the envoys. Two embassies were sent in 653, one consisting of 121 persons and the other of 120.* The former included seventeen student-priests, and among them was the eldest son of Kamatari himself.

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era

The hardships of the journey are attested by the fact that three of the student-priests died at sea. One remained in China for thirty-six years, and Joye, Kamatari's son, did not return to Japan for twelve years. *The ship carrying the embassy was wrecked off the south coast of Japan, and out of 120 persons only five escaped.

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era