In pursuit of Cultural Excellence- Indianness in Japan

The migration of Indian Culture to Japan without any proper Indian Diasporas permeated the whole island in the 6th Century CE. Till 8th Century no historical record is seen for the immigration of Indian in Japanese mainland. But the Japanese Buddhist monks used to sail to China for learning Indian Buddhism. In this situation learning of Sanskrit language for studying the tenets of Indian Mahayana Buddhism bridged the gap of the presence of direct Indian culture in Japan. Translation of different Buddhist scriptures and texts also to some extent fill up the gap arose due to the proximity of two nations. Early Japanese Buddhists had a longing for their spiritual motherland and they tried to reach India, the then known as Tenjiku to the Japanese on several times. But most of their attempts were not successful.The acquaintance between Tenshin Okakura and Rabindra Nath Tagore opened a new realm of Indo-Japanese relation. Moreover, translation of different works of Tagore by the Japanese also influenced Japanese Society. Aacclaimed scholar Professor Hajime Nakamura acknowledges (in 1961) that “Without Indian influence, Japanese culture would not be what it is today”. In this present age of highly developed technology and industries, both the countries share a deep affection for each other’s views and inter-country relations what are mirrored in the current trend of professional bonding since the two countries have declared themselves as global and strategic partner.