Maritime history

This book introduces in all-colour the 'Wakozukan' in the collection of Historiographical Institute The University of Tokyo and the 'Kouwazukan (Kang wo tu juan)' and 'Taihei kowazu (Taiping kang wo tu' in the collection of the National Museum of China. The results of infrared photography with the latest high definition digital cameras identify the contents depicted. Are the depicted Japanese pirates really true?

This book reveals the truth about Japanese monks' voyage to China, which is not written in textbooks. Sea traders, who are replacing Kento-shi (missions to Tang China), take the monks to China. What changes in the means of voyage to China brought about in the monks' activities in China? Longer time reveals East Asian exchanges through the East China Sea. And it makes us think about the framework of historical research.