Chinese Tributary Essay
The Chinese Tributary System: The Guide to Globalization The Chinese Tributary System was by far in a way China's biggest asset for managing foreign, political relationships. China was able to leverage themselves against other empires in a non-violent way by asking for and paying out precious goods all with the idea of establishing a mutual respect. For this reason, I have chosen a Japanese screen named "Gift Bearers at the Chinese Court." Painted by Kano Eitoku sometime between 1543 and 1590, it shows a number of tributes offering gifts at the Chinese Court. Perhaps this screen was given to a Chinese emperor in the form of tribute: Why else would a Japanese painter paint a Chinese court? There are a number of symbols present in this painting which all allude to the complexity of the Chinese Tributary System. The Tributary System demonstrates cross-culturalization via the spread of precious goods and artwork, the spread of Chinese politics, religion, and ideals, and the spread of military technology and resources; the Tributary System proved to be a tremendous advantage to China and their tributes. When observing this painting, your eye does not first go to background, but in the far left background appears a ship with what I assume are either traders or explorers. They could be Portuguese or other European traders, perhaps even merchants from Southeast Asia or India. If the painter had painted sails on the ship, we would have a better clue as to where the ship came from; however, based on the prominent stern on the back of the boat, I will assume that it is a Chinese boat coming into port. The most successful and well-known Chinese explorer was Zheng He. Although he died before this screen was completed, his explorations helped shape the Tributary System in China: "Despite their commercial overtones, Zheng He's voyages were mere extensions of the Ming Empire's Tributary System, a system not based on profit." 4 This