| Abstract |
This paper examines how guest ritual helped to shape the tributary system of Ming dynasty China. It is divided into two main parts. The first section looks at several key texts, including The Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty, from the Zhengde (1506-1521) and Wanli (1572-1620) eras. These texts reveal the critical role played by the Hongwu Protocols throughout the Ming dynasty. The second part of the paper describes the ways in which guest ritual influenced interactions between the Ming court and foreign nations. In particular, it considers the set of protocols sent by Ming Taizu (Hongwu Emperor) to Chōsen in 1370. Known collectively as Beon’guk Euiju, these protocols became the foundation in Chōsen of all sorts of guest rituals relating to China. In addition to Chōsen, other vassal states of China observed a similar set of rituals. Thus the Hongwu Protocols might also be characterized as a Common Protocol. |
