The Japan Nagasaki Pavilion Makes Its Debut at the "Xiamen International Fair," Sharing Stories of Sino-Japanese Friendship

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During the 2020 Xiamen International Investment and Trade Fair and the Silk Road Investment Conference held at the Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center, the Nagasaki Pavilion once again took the stage. Through historical figures such as Yinyuan Zen Master, Zheng Chenggong, Sun Yat-sen, Umeya Shokichi, and Tang dynasty envoy Kukai, the pavilion highlighted the historical ties between Nagasaki and China。

At the exhibition, the Nagasaki Pavilion showcased brochures detailing its rich tourism and product resources. It also featured the renowned Hasami porcelain, which beautifully conveyed the artistry and value of Nagasaki ceramics。

Nagasaki Prefecture, located at Japan's westernmost point and the closest part of mainland Japan to China, boasts abundant natural landscapes, a pleasant climate, and stunning scenery. Its unique natural resources have fostered an array of rich products. With numerous islands, Nagasaki is home to the most diverse range of natural fish species in Japan. Nagasaki has the ideal environment, water quality, and premium ingredients needed for sake production. Using ancient brewing secrets, its sake is known for being rich and flavorful. Among its famous products are Iki Shochu, a globally recognized specialty, Castella cakes from Bunmeido, Gotō udon noodles, and soy sauce, all of which are highly popular among consumers。

Nagasaki has a long history of friendly exchanges with Fujian and is the starting point for the spread of Huangbo culture in Japan. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Yinyuan Zen Master, the abbot of Wanfu Temple on Mount Huangbo in Fujian's Fuqing, was repeatedly invited by Nagasaki’s Kofukuji Temple and other "Tang temples" as well as by Chinese diaspora believers. He led a group from Xiamen aboard a ship provided by Zheng Chenggong to Japan. After initially residing in Nagasaki for three years, he moved to Kyoto, where he gained the respect of the Tokugawa shogunate. The Japanese imperial family granted him land in Uji, Kyoto, to establish a new temple。

When Yinyuan crossed to Japan, he brought not only Buddhist teachings but also Chinese culture, including philosophy, architecture, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, seal carving, printing, music, language, literature, cuisine, tea culture, herbal medicine, and medical practices. These contributions had a profound impact on Japan's economic and social development and became known in Japan as "Huangbo Culture."。

Kurosawa Keishiro, head of the Shanghai Representative Office of the Nagasaki Trade Association, stated at the "Xiamen Fair" that Nagasaki, as the first stop of Yinyuan Zen Master’s journey to Japan, aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties with his hometown of Fujian through cultural and tourism exchanges。

Nagasaki is a friendly region closely connected to China. Historically, it was the departure point for Tang envoys, and in modern times, it became a thriving hub for Sino-Japanese trade. To this day, Nagasaki retains many Chinese cultural elements, such as lantern festivals, dragon dances, and Chinese temples。