Yishanyining and Cultural Exchange Between China and Japan in the Yuan Dynasty

The relationship between China and Japan was clouded at the end of 13th century be- cause of two warfare launched by the Yuan Dynasty to conquer Japan.After Yuanchengzong's en- thronement,he sent a messenger named Yishanyining to Japan.After he arrived in Japan,Yisha- nyining carried through a series of endeavors including the promotion Buddhism and imparting the knowledge of zen,songology,literature,the arts of painting and calligraphy,and so on.His en- deavors had a far—reaching effect on the Japanese society and culture.The cultural exchange be- tween China and Japan which had been interrupted by warfare was renewed and magnified and went into a flourishing phase.Yishanyining initiated a new phase of cultural exchange between the two countries.He played a very important role in the development of friendly Sino—Japan re- lationship.