Portraits of Periodical Offering
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The Portraits of Periodical Offering (Template:Zh) were tributary documentative paintings (with illustration on each of the portrait) produced by various Chinese dynasties and later as well in other East Asian dynasties, such as Japan and Vietnam. These paintings were official historical documents by the imperial courts. The term "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" roughly translates to "duty offering pictorial". Throughout Chinese history, tributary states and tribes were required to send ambassadors to the imperial court periodically and pay tribute with valuable gifts ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}; gòngpǐn).
Drawings and paintings with short descriptions were used to record the expression of these ambassadors and to a lesser extent to show the cultural aspects of these ethnic groups. These historical descriptions beside the portrait became the equivalent of documents of diplomatic relations with each country. The drawings were reproduced in woodblock printing after the 9th century and distributed among the bureaucracy in albums. The Portraits of Periodical Offering of Imperial Qing by Xie Sui ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), completed in 1751, gives verbal descriptions of outlying tribes as far as the island of Britain in Western Europe.
Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang (526–539 CE)Edit
The Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) was painted by the future Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi (ruled 552–555 CE) of the Liang dynasty while he was a Governor of the province of Jingzhou as a young man between 526 and 539 CE, a post he held again between 547 and 552 CE, and had the opportunity to meet many foreigners.<ref name="TY">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="ZG"/> It is the earliest surviving of these specially significant paintings. They reflect foreign embassies that took place, particularly regarding the three Hephthalite (Hua) ambassadors, in 516–520 CE.<ref name="EDLV127">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="EDLV130">Template:Cite journal</ref> The original of the work was lost, but three copies or derived works are known.
Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang (526–539 CE) (Song dynasty copy of the 11th century CE)Edit
A surviving edition of this work is a copy from the Song dynasty in the 11th century, the Song copy of the Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}),<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and is currently preserved at the National Museum of China. The original work consisted of at least twenty five portraits of ambassadors from their various countries. The copy from the Song dynasty has twelve portraits and descriptions of thirteen envoys; the envoy from Dangchang has no portrait.<ref name="Interpreters"/> The work included individual descriptions, which follow closely the dynastic chronicle Liangshu (Volume 54).
The envoys from right to left were: the Hephthalites ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Persia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Korea ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kucha ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Japan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Malaysia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Qiang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Yarkand ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kabadiyan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kumedh ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Balkh ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), and finally Merv ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}).<ref name="EDLV127"/><ref name="ZG">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Interpreters">Template:Cite book</ref>
The remaining countries, now lost, are thought to have been: Gaojuli {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Goguryeo), Yutian {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Hotan in Xinjiang), Xinluo {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Silla), Kepantuo {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Tashkurgan {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} in present-day Xinjiang),<ref>Equivalence between Kepantuo and Tashkurgan in page 436, location east of Congling ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Pamir Mountains) and west of Zhujubo ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, Yarkand) in page 66 in Template:Cite book</ref> Wuxing fan {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (in Shanxi), Gaochang {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Turpan), Tianmen Man {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (somewhere between Henan, Hubei, and Guizhou), Dan 蜑 Barbarians of Jianping {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (between Hubei and Sichuan), and Man 蠻 Barbarians of Linjiang {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (East Sichuan). There may also have been: Zhongtianzhu {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, Bei tianzhu {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (India), and Shiziguo {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Sri Lanka), for a total of twenty-five countries.<ref name="ZG"/>
Individual portraitsEdit
Some of the main portraits are:
- Hua ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Hua) ambassador
- Persian ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Bosi)
- Baekje ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Baiji, Baekje)
- Kucha ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Qiuci)
- Kumedh ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Humidan)
- Kabadiyan ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Kebotan)
- Langkasuka ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Lang-ga-siu) to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE
- Dengzhi ambassador to the Southern Liang court 516-520 CE.jpg
lang}} Dengzhi)
Tang dynasty The Gathering of Kings (circa 650 CE)Edit
A Tang period painting consisting in a version of the Liang portraits of Periodical Offerings, entitled The Gathering of Kings ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, Wanghuitu).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It was probably made by Yan Liben.
From right to left, the countries are Lu (魯國) which is a reference to the Eastern Wei, Rouran ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Persia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Baekje ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kumedh ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Baiti ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Merv ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Central India ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Sri Lanka ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Northern India ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Tashkurgan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Wuxing City of the Chouchi (武興國), Kucha (龜茲國), Japan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Goguryeo ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Khotan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Silla ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Dangchang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Langkasuka ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Dengzhi ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Yarkand ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kabadiyan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Barbarians of Jianping ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Nudan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}). See the complete Wanghuitu. Template:Wide image
Individual portraitsEdit
Some of the main portraits are:
- 于闐國 Yutian Khotan in Wanghuitu circa 650 CE (with portrait).jpg
Man from Khotan (于闐國 Yutian) visiting the Chinese Tang dynasty court, in Wanghuitu circa 650 CE
- 龜茲國 Qiuci Kucha in Wanghuitu 王会图, circa 650 CE (with portrait).jpg
Ambassador from Kucha (龜茲國 Qiuci-guo) at the Chinese Tang dynasty court. Wanghuitu (王会图), circa 650 CE
- Ambassador from 謁盤陀 Qiepantuo Tashkurgan in The Gathering of Kings (王会图) circa 650 CE.jpg
Ambassador from Tashkurgan (謁盤陀 Qiepantuo) Wanghuitu (王会图), circa 650 CE
- Ambassador from Zhong Tianzhu (中天竺 Central India) in The Gathering of Kings (王会图) circa 650 CE.jpg
Ambassador from Central India (中天竺 Zhong Tianzhu) to the court of the Tang dynasty. 王会图 circa 650 CE
Southern Tang Entrance of the Foreign Visitors (10th century CE)Edit
Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi (552-555 CE) made another painting entitled "Entrance of the Foreign Visitors" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), now lost. A copy named "Entrance of the Foreign Visitors of Emperor Yuan of Liang" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) was made by the painter Gu Deqian ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) of the Southern Tang dynasty (937–976 CE), native of Jiangsu.<ref>"他的《番客人朝图》及《职贡图》至今在中国画史上占据重要的位置。" in Template:Cite journal</ref>
From right to left, the countries are Lu (魯國) which is a reference to the Eastern Wei, Rouran (芮芮國), Tuyuhun ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Central India ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Western Wei ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}),Template:Efn Champa ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Sri Lanka ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Northern India ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Tashkurgan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Wuxing City of the Chouchi ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Dangchang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Langkasuka ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Dengzhi ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Persia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Baekje ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kucha ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Japan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Yarkand ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kabadiyan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kumedh ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Baiti ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Barbarians of Linjiang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Goguryeo ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Gaochang ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Barbarians of Tianmen (天門蠻), Barbarians of Jianping ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Hephthalites ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Khotan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Silla ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Kantoli ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Funan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}).
Portraits of Periodical Offering of Tang (Song dynasty copy, 11–13th century)Edit
The Portraits of Periodical Offering of Tang by painter Yan Liben, depicting foreign envoys with tribute bearers for the Tang dynasty arriving at Chang'an in 631, during the reign of the Emperor Taizong of Tang. The painting consists of 27 people from various states. The original work was lost, and the only surviving edition was a Song dynasty copy, which is currently preserved at the National Palace Museum in Taipei.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Portraits of Offerings to the Imperial Qing (1759)Edit
In the mid-18th century during the Qing dynasty, the painter Xiesui ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) again painted a Portraits of Periodical Offering of the Imperial Qing (Huángqīng Zhígòngtú {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), completed in 1759, with a second part added in 1765, showing various foreign people known at that time, with texts in Chinese and Manchu. See the complete Huangqing Zhigongtu. Template:Wide image
- Huang Qing Zhigong Tu - 030 - Barbarian man of France (Falanxi).jpg
French man, 18th century
- Huang Qing Zhigong Tu - 023 - Barbarian man of the province of Helvetia (Heleiweijiya sheng), of the Great Western Ocean (Europe).jpg
Man from Helvetia
- Huang Qing Zhigong Tu - 024 - Barbarian man of Hungary (Wengjialiya) in the Great Western Ocean.jpg
Man from Hungary
- Huang Qing Zhigong Tu - 029 - Barbarian man of England (Yingjili).jpg
Man from England
- 安南國夷官.jpg
Vietnamese dignitaries of the late-Lê dynasty (1533–1789)
- 暹羅國夷官.jpg
Siamese (Thai) State Official
Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Pay Tribute (1761)Edit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Pay Tribute (Template:Zh, 1761) is a monumental (299x207cm) Qing dynasty painting depicting foreign delegations visiting the Qianlong Emperor in the Forbidden city in Beijing during the late 1750s.<ref name="XL45">Template:Cite book</ref>
The painting was intended to show the cosmopolitanism and the centrality of the Qing Empire, since most countries of Asia and Europe are shown paying their respects to the Chinese Emperor.<ref name="XL45"/><ref name="GW135">Template:Cite book</ref> The title literally refers to ten thousand countries ("万国"), but this simply has the meaning of an uncountable multitude.
- 万国来朝图 Korea delegates (朝鲜国) in Peking in 1761.jpg
Korea delegates (朝鲜国)
- 万国来朝图 Khotan 和阗 delegates in Beijing, China, in 1761.jpg
Khotan (和阗) delegates
- 万国来朝图 (French delegates in Peking in 1761).jpg
France delegates (flag "法兰西")
Related worksEdit
- 職貢圖（仇英）6.jpg
lang}})
- Popular multicolored New Year print (nianhua 年畫) entitled "Ten Thousand Countries Coming to Court" (Wanguo laichao tu 萬國來朝圖), by Wang Junfu 王君甫, mid to late 17th century.jpg
Popular multicolored New Year print (nianhua 年畫) entitled "Ten Thousand Countries Coming to Court" (Wanguo laichao tu 萬國來朝圖), by Wang Junfu 王君甫, mid to late 17th century.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
See alsoEdit
- Foreign relations of imperial China
- Tributary system of China
- List of tributary states of China
- Twenty-Four Histories
- Chinese historiography
- Monarchy of China
- Pax Sinica
- Zongli Yamen