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Twelve Korean embassies visited [[Edo period]] Japan between [[1607]] to [[1811]]. These were perceived as [[tribute]] missions by the [[Tokugawa bakufu]], and paralleled [[Ryukyuan embassies]] sent by the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]].

Twelve Korean embassies visited [[Edo period]] Japan between [[1607]] to [[1811]]. These were perceived as [[tribute]] missions by the [[Tokugawa bakufu]], and paralleled [[Ryukyuan embassies]] sent by the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]].

The first several missions, in [[1605]], [[1607]], [[1617]], and [[1624]], are generally counted separately from the ''tsûshinshi'' ("diplomatic embassies"), as these missions focused on the repatriation of captives (from the 1590s wars), and for the negotiation of the resumption of relations. It was only from [[1636]] onwards, according to many interpretations, that formal relations were established and were being performed.<ref>Marco Tinello, "The termination of the Ryukyuan embassies to Edo : an investigation of the bakumatsu period through the lens of a tripartite power relationship and its world," PhD thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia (2014), 38-39.</ref>

The first several missions, in [[1605]], [[1607]], [[1617]], and [[1624]], are generally counted separately from the ''tsûshinshi'' ("diplomatic embassies"),<ref>Though ''tsûshin'' 通信 is often translated as "diplomatic" or "formal relations" in contrast to the "trade relations" (通商, ''tsûshô'') maintained by the Tokugawa shogunate with Chinese and Dutch merchants, the term ''tsûshinshi'' might be more literally translated as "embassies conveying sincerity" or "trust." To at least some extent, at least nominally, these Korean embassies were said to be a demonstration of continued relations of mutual trust between the Joseon and Tokugawa courts. Aoyanagi Shûichi 青柳周一, "Ikoku no shisetsu, Ômi no kuni wo tôru - Ryûkyû shisetsu to Chôsen tsûshinshi" 異国の使節、近江国を通るー琉球使節と朝鮮通信使, talk given at Kusatsu rekishi hakken juku くさつ・歴史発見塾, 2 March 2019.</ref> as these missions focused on the repatriation of captives (from the 1590s wars), and for the negotiation of the resumption of relations. It was only from [[1636]] onwards, according to many interpretations, that formal relations were established and were being performed.<ref>Marco Tinello, "The termination of the Ryukyuan embassies to Edo : an investigation of the bakumatsu period through the lens of a tripartite power relationship and its world," PhD thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia (2014), 38-39.</ref>

Unlike the shogunate's relationship with Ryûkyû, which was seen as a vassal to [[Satsuma han]], however, the shogunate regarded [[Joseon Dynasty]] Korea as an equal, at least nominally, in certain respects. In practice, while the two countries spoke of one another as equals in certain contexts, in other respects they actively looked down upon one another, with the shogunate seeing these Korean embassies as "tribute" missions, and the Korean court seeing the [[So clan|Sô clan]] of [[Tsushima han]], who facilitated such relations, as their vassals. The Korean court is said to have seen these missions to [[Edo]] as "inspection tours," in which Korean envoys kept an eye out to ensure the Japanese were not planning or preparing for another invasion of Korea, as they had done under [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] in [[Korean Invasions|the 1590s]].<ref name=mitani7>Mitani Hiroshi, David Noble (trans.), ''Escape from Impasse'', International House of Japan (2006), 7-8.</ref>

Unlike the shogunate's relationship with Ryûkyû, which was seen as a vassal to [[Satsuma han]], however, the shogunate regarded [[Joseon Dynasty]] Korea as an equal, at least nominally, in certain respects. In practice, while the two countries spoke of one another as equals in certain contexts, in other respects they actively looked down upon one another, with the shogunate seeing these Korean embassies as "tribute" missions, and the Korean court seeing the [[So clan|Sô clan]] of [[Tsushima han]], who facilitated such relations, as their vassals. The Korean court is said to have seen these missions to [[Edo]] as "inspection tours," in which Korean envoys kept an eye out to ensure the Japanese were not planning or preparing for another invasion of Korea, as they had done under [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] in [[Korean Invasions|the 1590s]].<ref name=mitani7>Mitani Hiroshi, David Noble (trans.), ''Escape from Impasse'', International House of Japan (2006), 7-8.</ref>

In [[1587]], Toyotomi Hideyoshi named the [[So clan|Sô clan]] of [[Tsushima province|Tsushima]] to be in charge of demanding [[tribute]] from the Joseon court, and to play a leadership role in preparing for Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea (and of the [[Ming Dynasty]]). After Tsushima sent a formal request to the Joseon Court, Korea dispatched a new mission in [[1590]]; led by [[Huang Yungil]], the mission was housed at [[Daitoku-ji]] and met with Hideyoshi at his [[Jurakudai]] mansion in Kyoto, where they delivered a formal letter (''kokusho'') from their king. After Hideyoshi took this as a sign of subordination, however, and Korea declined to send further missions, Hideyoshi launched the first of his invasions of Korea in [[1592]].<ref name=okayama53/>

In [[1587]], Toyotomi Hideyoshi named the [[So clan|Sô clan]] of [[Tsushima province|Tsushima]] to be in charge of demanding [[tribute]] from the Joseon court, and to play a leadership role in preparing for Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea (and of the [[Ming Dynasty]]). After Tsushima sent a formal request to the Joseon Court, Korea dispatched a new mission in [[1590]]; led by [[Huang Yungil]], the mission was housed at [[Daitoku-ji]] and met with Hideyoshi at his [[Jurakudai]] mansion in Kyoto, where they delivered a formal letter (''kokusho'') from their king. After Hideyoshi took this as a sign of subordination, however, and Korea declined to send further missions, Hideyoshi launched the first of his invasions of Korea in [[1592]].<ref name=okayama53/>

==Logistics & Ritual Performance==

==Logistics & Ritual Performance==

Each mission was led by a civil official, usually of the third rank (in the Korean court hierarchy), and consisted of roughly 350-500 Koreans,<ref>The smallest Korea mission consisted of roughly 300 people. Lillehoj. p102.; Robert Hellyer, ''Defining Engagement'', Harvard University Press (2009), 44.; The missions left Korea with an average of 485, leaving some of their men at Tsushima or Osaka, and entered Edo with an average of 395 men. Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 424.</ref> and roughly 1500 Japanese escorts from [[Tsushima han]], the [[han|domain]] which managed Japan-Korea relations in this period. From [[1655]] onwards, all of the missions were sent, nominally, to congratulate a new shogun on his succession; unlike was the case with the Ryûkyû Kingdom, Korea did not send missions upon the succession of their own kings in order to request any sort of ritual acknowledgement or recognition of their new king.

Each mission was led by a civil official, usually of the third rank (in the Korean court hierarchy), and consisted of roughly 350-500 Koreans,<ref>The smallest Korea mission consisted of roughly 300 people. Lillehoj. p102.; Robert Hellyer, ''Defining Engagement'', Harvard University Press (2009), 44.; The missions left Korea with an average of 485, leaving some of their men at Tsushima or Osaka, and entered Edo with an average of 395 men. Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 424.</ref> and roughly 1500 Japanese escorts from [[Tsushima han]], the [[han|domain]] which managed Japan-Korea relations in this period. From [[1655]] onwards, all of the missions were sent, nominally, to congratulate a new shogun on his succession; unlike was the case with the Ryûkyû Kingdom, Korea did not send missions upon the succession of their own kings in order to request any sort of ritual acknowledgement or recognition of their new king.

All but the last mission traveled to Edo, going via Tsushima, through the [[Inland Sea]] to [[Osaka]], and then overland from there; the 1811 mission only journeyed as far as Tsushima.

All but the last mission traveled to Edo, going via Tsushima, through the [[Inland Sea]] to [[Osaka]], and then overland from there; the 1811 mission only journeyed as far as Tsushima. The Sô clan of Tsushima played a prominent role in escorting and otherwise organizing and overseeing the embassies during their journey to and from Edo; the shogunate also appointed a pair of other ''daimyô'', typically ''[[bugyo|bugyô]]'', to serve temporarily as "Chôsen shinshi heirei yôkakari'', i.e. officials in charge of overseeing the reception of Korean embassies.

The missions sailed aboard a fleet of three Korean ships from [[Pusan]] to Tsushima, accompanied by three cargo ships, and escorted by a number of ships from Tsushima.<ref name=sato/> Leaving their Korean ships behind at Tsushima, they spent some time enjoying lavish receptions on the island, and then rode on Japanese ships from there on, accompanied by the lord of the [[So clan|Sô clan]] and 800-1500 of his men, as far as Osaka.<ref name=hur1719>Nam-Lin Hur, "A Korean Envoy Encounters Tokugawa Japan: Shin Yuhan and the Korean Embassy of 1719," ''Bunmei 21'' no. 4 (Aichi University, 2000), 61-73.</ref> They passed through stops at [[Ikishima]] and along the coasts of [[Chikuzen province|Chikuzen]] and [[Buzen province]]s (in northern Kyushu), before passing through the straits at [[Shimonoseki]] (aka Akamagaseki).<ref name=carnival420>Toby, Ronald. "Carnival of the Aliens: Korean Embassies in Edo-Period Art and Popular Culture." ''[[Monumenta Nipponica]]'' 41:4 (1986). 420n14.</ref>

The missions sailed aboard a fleet of three Korean ships from [[Pusan]] to Tsushima, accompanied by three cargo ships, and escorted by a number of ships from Tsushima.<ref name=sato/> Leaving their Korean ships behind at Tsushima, they spent some time enjoying lavish receptions on the island, and then rode on Japanese ships from there on, accompanied by the lord of the [[So clan|Sô clan]] and 800-1500 of his men, as far as Osaka.<ref name=hur1719>Nam-Lin Hur, "A Korean Envoy Encounters Tokugawa Japan: Shin Yuhan and the Korean Embassy of 1719," ''Bunmei 21'' no. 4 (Aichi University, 2000), 61-73.</ref> They passed through stops at [[Ikishima]] and along the coasts of [[Chikuzen province|Chikuzen]] and [[Buzen province]]s (in northern Kyushu), before passing through the straits at [[Shimonoseki]] (aka Akamagaseki).<ref name=carnival420>Toby, Ronald. "Carnival of the Aliens: Korean Embassies in Edo-Period Art and Popular Culture." ''[[Monumenta Nipponica]]'' 41:4 (1986). 420n14.</ref>

The shogun reciprocated the Korean king's gifts by presenting the envoys with helmets and armor, swords, gold-foil-backed [[byobu|folding screen]] paintings, volumes of [[silver]], or brocades, among other products. Additional gifts were also exchanged between the Korean envoys and the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' and other high-ranking shogunate figures.<ref name=sato/>

The shogun reciprocated the Korean king's gifts by presenting the envoys with helmets and armor, swords, gold-foil-backed [[byobu|folding screen]] paintings, volumes of [[silver]], or brocades, among other products. Additional gifts were also exchanged between the Korean envoys and the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' and other high-ranking shogunate figures.<ref name=sato/>

==Decline and End of Missions==

==Decline and End of Missions==

Thus, after 1764, the shogunate demurred from interest in receiving further missions. With Tokugawa hegemony firmly established after more than 150 years in power, the role of the embassies for supporting or enhancing Tokugawa legitimacy was long obsolete. Financial and diplomatic status matters were also of concern. These missions were expensive, costing the Sô clan, the shogunate, and others considerable amounts to feed, house, and otherwise provide for the Korean envoys during their time in Japan. Further, having the Korean embassies come only as far as Tsushima would better mirror the restrictions placed on Japanese officials in Korea, who were not permitted to travel beyond [[Pusan]].<ref name=mitani7/> In [[1788]], [[Tairo|Tairô]] [[Matsudaira Sadanobu]] advised Tsushima to seek some kind of revision of the diplomatic protocols, so as to reduce the costs of the impending mission to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ienari]] on becoming shogun; Sadanobu then suggested in [[1791]] that further missions not travel all the way to Edo, but instead meet with shogunal representatives in Tsushima. The Koreans initially rejected this suggestion, asserting the importance of continuing the established practices, but after much negotiations, a mission was finally dispatched in 1811 to congratulate Ienari, 27 years after his succession. This would turn out to be the last Korean mission of the Edo period.<ref>Hellyer, 105-106.</ref>

Thus, after 1764, the shogunate demurred from interest in receiving further missions. With Tokugawa hegemony firmly established after more than 150 years in power, the role of the embassies for supporting or enhancing Tokugawa legitimacy was long obsolete. Financial and diplomatic status matters were also of concern. These missions were expensive, costing the Sô clan, the shogunate, and others considerable amounts to feed, house, and otherwise provide for the Korean envoys during their time in Japan. Further, having the Korean embassies come only as far as Tsushima would better mirror the restrictions placed on Japanese officials in Korea, who were not permitted to travel beyond [[Pusan]].<ref name=mitani7/> In [[1788]], [[Tairo|Tairô]] [[Matsudaira Sadanobu]] advised Tsushima to seek some kind of revision of the diplomatic protocols, so as to reduce the costs of the impending mission to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ienari]] on becoming shogun; Sadanobu then suggested in [[1791]] that further missions not travel all the way to Edo, but instead meet with shogunal representatives in Tsushima. The Koreans initially rejected this suggestion, asserting the importance of continuing the established practices, but after much negotiations, a mission was finally dispatched in 1811 to congratulate Ienari, 27 years after his succession. This would turn out to be the last Korean mission of the Edo period.<ref>Hellyer, 105-106.</ref>

The shogunate ordered Tsushima in [[1860]] to request another mission from the Korean court, to be scheduled for [[1866]], and to come only so far as Tsushima (not to Edo). However, in [[1865]], the shogunate then ordered Tsushima to postpone this mission until [[1876]]; the shogunate fell three years later, and that mission never manifested.<ref>Tinello, 189.</ref>

The shogunate ordered Tsushima in [[1860]] to request another mission from the Korean court, to be scheduled for [[1866]], and to come only so far as Tsushima (not to Edo). However, in [[1865]], the shogunate then ordered Tsushima to postpone this mission until [[1876]]; the shogunate fell three years later, and that mission never manifested.<ref>Tinello, 189.</ref>

*1605 - [[Samyeongdang]] and [[Son Munik]], the first Korean envoys to Japan since the [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] of the 1590s, meet with [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] and [[Tokugawa Hidetada|Hidetada]] at [[Fushimi castle]], having traveled to Kyoto with [[So Yoshitoshi|Sô Yoshitoshi]], lord of [[Tsushima han]], despite the Korean Court having likely only expected the envoys to go as far as Tsushima. They meet as well with [[Honda Masanobu]] and [[Saisho Shotai|Saishô Shôtai]], while staying at the temple of [[Honpo-ji|Honpô-ji]] in Kyoto. This is not counted among the twelve official missions of the Edo period, but represents the beginning of rapprochement. Among other terms of negotiations, 3000 Korean prisoners of war are returned to Korea.

*1605 - [[Samyeongdang]] and [[Son Munik]], the first Korean envoys to Japan since the [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] of the 1590s, meet with [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] and [[Tokugawa Hidetada|Hidetada]] at [[Fushimi castle]], having traveled to Kyoto with [[So Yoshitoshi|Sô Yoshitoshi]], lord of [[Tsushima han]], despite the Korean Court having likely only expected the envoys to go as far as Tsushima. They meet as well with [[Honda Masanobu]] and [[Saisho Shotai|Saishô Shôtai]], while staying at the temple of [[Honpo-ji|Honpô-ji]] in Kyoto. This is not counted among the twelve official missions of the Edo period, but represents the beginning of rapprochement. Among other terms of negotiations, 3000 Korean prisoners of war are returned to Korea.

*1606 - A Japanese mission from Tsushima led by [[Tachibana Tomomasa]]<!--橘智正--> returns from Korea with Korean requests for a formal letter direct from Tokugawa Ieyasu, and for Japan to turn over warriors who had violated Korean graves during the invasions. Without informing the Tokugawa shogunate, Tsushima produces a forged letter from Ieyasu, and turns over some number of local Tsushima criminals and prisoners.<ref>''Chôsen tsûshinshi to Okayama'', 54.</ref>

*1606 - A Japanese mission from Tsushima led by [[Tachibana Tomomasa]]<!--橘智正--> returns from Korea with Korean requests for a formal letter direct from Tokugawa Ieyasu, and for Japan to turn over warriors who had violated Korean graves during the invasions. Without informing the Tokugawa shogunate, Tsushima produces a forged letter from Ieyasu, and turns over some number of local Tsushima criminals and prisoners.<ref>''Chôsen tsûshinshi to Okayama'', 54.</ref>

*1607 - A mission is led by Ryeo Ugil (aka Chiwon <!--呂祐吉、号：癡湲-->, with Vice Envoy Gyeong-seom (aka Chil-song)<!--慶暹、号：七松-->, and Secretary (''[[jongsagwan]]''<!--従事官-->) Jeong Ho-sil (aka Il-chwi)<!--丁好實、号：一翠-->.<ref>''Shirarezaru Ryûkyû shisetsu'' 知られざる琉球使節, Fukuyama-shi Tomonoura rekishi minzoku shiryôkan (2006), 92.</ref> Many members of the mission are former samurai who, after surrendering to Korean forces during Hideyoshi's invasions, were permitted to take Korean names and to assimilate into Korean society, becoming either court officials of some sort, or soldiers (warriors) in service to the court. The mission meets with Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada in Edo, and then on the return journey meets with Tokugawa Ieyasu at [[Sunpu]].<ref>Tomiyama Kazuyuki, ''Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken'', Yoshikawa kôbunkan (2004), 118.</ref> That the Koreans received audience with Hidetada first, and Ieyasu only second, served to demonstrate the power and legitimacy of the shogunate, as an institution, beyond the personal power of Ieyasu.<ref name=nakai177>Kate Wildman Nakai, ''Shogunal Politics'', Harvard University Press (1988), 177.</ref>

*1607 - A mission consisting of 504 men is led by Ryeo Ugil (aka Chiwon <!--呂祐吉、号：癡湲-->, with Vice Envoy Gyeong-seom (aka Chil-song)<!--慶暹、号：七松-->, and Secretary (''[[jongsagwan]]''<!--従事官-->) Jeong Ho-sil (aka Il-chwi)<!--丁好實、号：一翠-->.<ref>''Shirarezaru Ryûkyû shisetsu'' 知られざる琉球使節, Fukuyama-shi Tomonoura rekishi minzoku shiryôkan (2006), 92.</ref> Many members of the mission are former samurai who, after surrendering to Korean forces during Hideyoshi's invasions, were permitted to take Korean names and to assimilate into Korean society, becoming either court officials of some sort, or soldiers (warriors) in service to the court. The mission meets with Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada in Edo, and then on the return journey meets with Tokugawa Ieyasu at [[Sunpu]].<ref>Tomiyama Kazuyuki, ''Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken'', Yoshikawa kôbunkan (2004), 118.</ref> That the Koreans received audience with Hidetada first, and Ieyasu only second, served to demonstrate the power and legitimacy of the shogunate, as an institution, beyond the personal power of Ieyasu.<ref name=nakai177>Kate Wildman Nakai, ''Shogunal Politics'', Harvard University Press (1988), 177.</ref>

*1617 - A Korean mission meets with Tokugawa Hidetada in Kyoto. [[Hayashi Razan]] is among those invited to attend the reception. For the mission to meet with the shogun in Kyoto, with members of the court as witness (to the processions, at least, if not the audiences) is a further move by the shogunate to enhance its own legitimacy.<ref name=nakai177/>

*1617 - A Korean mission led by [[O Yun-gyeom]] 呉允謙 and consisting of 428 people meets with Tokugawa Hidetada in Kyoto. [[Hayashi Razan]] is among those invited to attend the reception. For the mission to meet with the shogun in Kyoto, with members of the court as witness (to the processions, at least, if not the audiences) is a further move by the shogunate to enhance its own legitimacy.<ref name=nakai177/>

*1624 - A mission travels to Edo. Led by [[Chong Ip|Chŏng Ip]], it is the smallest of the missions, involving only 300 members.<ref>Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 424.</ref>

*1624 - A mission travels to Edo. Led by [[Chong Ip|Chŏng Ip]], it consists of 460 members. The embassy returns to Korea with some 5000-7000 Korean repatriates.<ref name=taichoro1/> The third and final "response and repatriation" mission, it also serves to congratulate [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]] on becoming shogun.<ref name=timeline>Gallery labels, Taichôrô, Fukuzen-ji.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/36862209642/sizes/k/]</ref>

*1636 - The first formal ''tongsinsa'' (''tsûshinshi'') is dispatched. It is led by [[Im Kwang]], and travels to Edo and to [[Nikko Toshogu|Nikkô Tôshôgû]]. Among the terms discussed is the frequency of ''munwigwam'' missions to [[Tsushima han|Tsushima]].

*1636 - The first formal ''tongsinsa'' (''tsûshinshi'') is dispatched. It is led by [[Im Kwang]], and travels to Edo and to [[Nikko Toshogu|Nikkô Tôshôgû]]. Among the terms discussed is the frequency of ''munwigwam'' missions to [[Tsushima han|Tsushima]]. The embassy consists of 478 men, and is nominally dispatched to congratulate the Tokugawa on creating peace (''taihei'') in the realm.<ref name=timeline/>

*1643 - The mission is led by [[Yun Sunji]] and consists of 462 members. It is sent nominally to congratulate the shogunate on the birth of a shogunal heir ([[Tokugawa Ietsuna]] was born in [[1641]]). The envoys travel to Nikkô Tôshôgû, where they present a temple bell as a gift from [[King Injo]], cast on the orders of the shogunate. The bell continues to hang at the Yômeimon in [[Nikko|Nikkô]] today.

*1643 - The mission is led by [[Yun Sunji]] and consists of 477 members. It is sent nominally to congratulate the shogunate on the birth of a shogunal heir ([[Tokugawa Ietsuna]] was born in [[1641]]). The envoys travel to Nikkô Tôshôgû, where they present a temple bell as a gift from [[King Injo]], cast on the orders of the shogunate. The bell continues to hang at the Yômeimon in [[Nikko|Nikkô]] today.

*1655 - The mission, led by [[Jo Hyeong]] (1606-1679) and [[Nam Yong-ik]] (1628-1692), and consisting of 488 members, travels to Edo, and to Nikkô, where they present a number of lanterns for the mausoleum of [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]]; this is the last time a Korean embassy visits Nikkô. It is also the first Korean mission to Edo since the fall of the [[Ming Dynasty]], and the beginning of Korean submission to the [[Qing Dynasty]].

*1655 - The mission, led by [[Jo Hyeong]] (1606-1679) and [[Nam Yong-ik]] (1628-1692), and consisting of 485 members, is dispatched to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ietsuna]] on becoming shogun.<ref name=timeline/> The embassy travels to Edo, and to Nikkô, where they present a number of lanterns for the mausoleum of [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]]; this is the last time a Korean embassy visits Nikkô. It is also the first Korean mission to Edo since the fall of the [[Ming Dynasty]], and the beginning of Korean submission to the [[Qing Dynasty]].

*1682 - A mission travels to Edo. It is led by [[Yun Chiwan]] (尹趾完, [[1635]]-[[1718]]), with [[Yi Ongang|Yi Ŏn'gang]] (李彦綱, [[1648]]-[[1716]]) as vice-ambassador, and [[Pak Kyongsun|Pak Kyŏngsun]] (朴慶俊) as secretary.<ref>Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 437.</ref>

*1682 - A mission travels to Edo to congratulate [[Tokugawa Tsunayoshi]] on becoming shogun. It is led by [[Yun Chiwan]] (尹趾完, [[1635]]-[[1718]]), with [[Yi Ongang|Yi Ŏn'gang]] (李彦綱, [[1648]]-[[1716]]) as vice-ambassador, and [[Pak Kyongsun|Pak Kyŏngsun]] (朴慶俊) as secretary.<ref>Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 437.</ref> The embassy consists of 363 men who travel to Edo, and another 112 who remain in Osaka with the embassy's ships. They are accompanied by perhaps fifty archers, fifty gunmen, fifty lancers, and 1,700 ashigaru, as well as by numerous porters.<ref>Toby, ''Engaging the Other'', Brill (2019), 158.</ref>

*1711 - A mission travels to Edo, led by [[Jo Tae-eok]] ([[1675]]-[[1728]]), [[Im Su-gan]] ([[1665]]-[[1721]]), and [[Lee Bang-eon]].<ref>Gallery labels, National Museum of Korea.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/26681474737/sizes/h/]</ref> It consists of 569 Koreans, plus whatever number of Tsushima officials, porters, etc.<ref>Dusinberre, 23.</ref> The mission is the only one to have four interpreters, while most have three, and some only one or two. The interpreters on this mission were Ch'oe Sangjip (崔尚山＋集),<ref>The last character of this figure's name combines the two characters 山＋集, but is non-standard.</ref> Yi Sŏngnin (李碩麟), Yi Sŏngnyŏn (李松年), and Kim Sinam (金始南).<ref name=toby433>Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 433.</ref>

*1711 - A mission travels to Edo to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ienobu]] on becoming shogun. Led by [[Jo Tae-eok]] ([[1675]]-[[1728]]), [[Im Sugan]] ([[1665]]-[[1721]]), and [[Lee Bang-eon]],<ref>Gallery labels, National Museum of Korea.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/26681474737/sizes/h/]</ref> it consists of 569 Koreans, of whom 371 traveled all the way to Edo, plus whatever number of Tsushima officials, porters, etc.<ref>Dusinberre, 23.; Toby, ''Engaging the Other'', 158.</ref> The mission is the only one to have four interpreters, while most have three, and some only one or two. The interpreters on this mission were Ch'oe Sangjip (崔尚山＋集),<ref>The last character of this figure's name combines the two characters 山＋集, but is non-standard.</ref> Yi Sŏngnin (李碩麟), Yi Sŏngnyŏn (李松年), and Kim Sinam (金始南).<ref name=toby433>Toby, "Carnival of the Aliens," 433.</ref> Due to some disagreements regarding the Korean king's letter to the Shogun, the Korean envoys end up leaving [[Edo castle]] without a formal reply letter from the Shogun in return.<ref>Tashiro Kazui, "Chôsen tsûshinshi gyôretsu emaki no kenkyû," ''Chôsen gakuhô'' 137 (1990), 29-30.</ref>

*1719 - A mission led by Lead Envoy Hong Ch'ijung, Vice Envoy Hwang Sŏn, and Secretary Yi Myŏng'ŏn, travels to Edo, staying at [[Honno-ji|Honnô-ji]] in Kyoto for one night on their way, and several more nights on their way back. The mission includes three interpreters: Pak Chaech'ang (朴再昌), Han Huyŏn (韓後瑗), and Kim T'onam (金圖南).<ref name=toby433/><ref name=hur1719/> The ''chesulgwan'' (製述官, chief composer of documents) on the mission, [[Sin Yu-Han]], composes the ''[[Haeyurok]]'', perhaps one of the most extensive travel diaries of a Korean official in Tokugawa Japan extant.

*1719 - A mission led by Lead Envoy Hong Ch'ijung, Vice Envoy Hwang Sŏn, and Secretary Yi Myŏng'ŏn, travels to Edo to congratulate [[Tokugawa Yoshimune]] on becoming shogun. It consists of 475 people.<ref name=timeline/> The embassy stays at [[Honno-ji|Honnô-ji]] in Kyoto for one night on its way to Edo, and several more nights on the way back. The mission includes three interpreters: Pak Chaech'ang (朴再昌), Han Huyŏn (韓後瑗), and Kim T'onam (金圖南).<ref name=toby433/><ref name=hur1719/> The ''chesulgwan'' (製述官, chief composer of documents) on the mission, [[Sin Yu-Han]], composes the ''[[Haeyurok]]'', perhaps one of the most extensive travel diaries of a Korean official in Tokugawa Japan extant.

*1748 - A mission travels to Edo.

*1748 - A mission travels to Edo, led by [[Hong Gye-hui]] (洪啓禧), to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ieshige]] on becoming shogun.<ref name=timeline/> It consists of 392 men who journey to Edo and another 82 who remain with the ships in Osaka.<ref>Toby, ''Engaging the Other'', 169.</ref>

*1764 - A Korean mission travels to Edo for the last time during the Tokugawa period. The mission consists of 498 people, and their total journey takes 382 days.

*1764 - A Korean mission travels to Edo for the last time during the Tokugawa period. The embassy, led by [[Jo Eom]] (趙曮), is sent to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ieharu]] on becoming shogun.<ref name=timeline/> [[Nam Chuwol|Nam Ch'uwŏl]] serves as secretary (''chesulgwan'').<ref>Rebeckah Clements, “BRUSH TALK AS THE ‘LINGUA FRANCA’ OF DIPLOMACY IN JAPANESE–KOREAN ENCOUNTERS, c. 1600-1868,” The Historical Journal, 62:2 (2019), pp. 289-309: 297.</ref> The mission consists of 498 people, and their total journey takes 382 days.

*1809 - Korean envoys in Tsushima are informed that the next mission would only be expected to come as far as Tsushima, and not to go to Edo.

*1809 - Korean envoys in Tsushima are informed that the next mission would only be expected to come as far as Tsushima, and not to go to Edo.

*1811 - The final formal Korean mission of the Edo period meets with [[So clan|Sô clan]] officials in Tsushima, and does not travel to the Japanese "mainland," let alone to Edo. [[Ogasawara Tadakata]], lord of [[Kokura han]], serves as stand-in for the shogun.<ref>Miyake Hidetoshi 三宅英利, "Ryukyu shisetsu to Kokura han," ''Kitakyûshû daigaku bungakubu kiyô'' B series, vol. 21 (1989), 3.</ref>

*1811 - The final formal Korean mission of the Edo period is formally received by shogunate officials on Tsushima, and does not travel to the Japanese "mainland," let alone to Edo. The embassy, led by [[Kim Igyo]] (金履喬), consists of 328 people and is sent to congratulate [[Tokugawa Ienari]] on becoming shogun.<ref name=timeline/> [[Ogasawara Tadakata]], lord of [[Kokura han]], serves as stand-in for the shogun.<ref>Miyake Hidetoshi 三宅英利, "Ryukyu shisetsu to Kokura han," ''Kitakyûshû daigaku bungakubu kiyô'' B series, vol. 21 (1989), 3.</ref>

*1841 - An envoy from Tsushima travels to [[Pusan]] and requests that a mission be sent to Tsushima, but none ever is.

*1841 - An envoy from Tsushima travels to [[Pusan]] and requests that a mission be sent to Tsushima, but none ever is.

*1844 - The shogunate requests, via Tsushima, that Korea send a mission in [[1846]], but this is ultimately cancelled.

*1844 - The shogunate requests, via Tsushima, that Korea send a mission in [[1846]], but this is ultimately cancelled.

==References==

==References==

*Schottenhammer, Angela. "The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges - China and her neighbors." in Schottenhammer (ed.) ''The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges''. Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007.

*Schottenhammer, Angela. "The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges - China and her neighbors." in Schottenhammer (ed.) ''The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges''. Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007.

*Anne Walthall, "Hiding the shoguns: Secrecy and the nature of political authority in Tokugawa Japan," in Bernard Scheid and Mark Teeuwen (eds.) ''The Culture of Secrecy in Japanese Religion'', Routledge (2006), 341-344.  

*Anne Walthall, "Hiding the shoguns: Secrecy and the nature of political authority in Tokugawa Japan," in Bernard Scheid and Mark Teeuwen (eds.) ''The Culture of Secrecy in Japanese Religion'', Routledge (2006), 341-344.  

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[[Category:Edo Period]]

[[Category:Edo Period]]

[[Category:Diplomats]]

[[Category:Diplomats]]