A Study of Diplomatic Relations Between Silla and Japan in the Early 9th Century

Due to differences between the records in the 『Samguk Sagi(三國史記)』 and the 『Nihon Koki(日本後紀)』 regarding diplomatic exchanges between Silla and Japan in the early 9th century, it is difficult to grasp the specific nature of their relations during this period.<br/> This paper focuses on the fragmentary records of contact between Silla and Japan found in the 『Samguk Sagi』 and the 『Nihon Koki』 and centers on the years 799 and 802 to analyze the nature of Silla’s interactions with Japan in the early 9th century.<br/> The appointment of Japan’s envoy to Silla in 799 is interpreted as a diplomatic response to the dispatch of the Silla envoy Goaesa(告哀使), who was sent to inform Japan of King Wonseong’s(元聖王) death and King Soseong’s(昭聖王) accession to the throne.<br/> The reason why Kim Gyunjeong(金均貞) refused to be dispatched to Japan in 802 is seen as reflecting a policy difference in Silla-Japan relations between King Aejang(哀莊王) and Kim Gyunjeong.