Yoshito Hakeda 羽毛田義人, “ 空海 Kukai: Major Works”, 1972 was the topic of an earlier blog post.
Here I present: “Kukai”, 1984 film: a biographical film of the Japanese historical figure 空海 Kukai (774 – 835 AD).
INTRODUCTION: Film.
The list BELOW was associated with the film.
Release Date: April 1984.
Director: Junjo Sato.
Screenwriter: Akira Hayasaka.
Cast: Masaya Kitaidoji, Toushi Kato, Masumi Ogawa, Shighasa Mori.
INTRODUCTION: Kukai.
Plot of the film is Buddhist master Kûkai travels to China in his spiritual quest to found an important order in 9th century Japan.
- Here I presented: “Kukai”, 1984 film. Legend attributes the invention of the 仮名 “kana” phonetic syllabary script to Kūkai, with which the 漢字 “kanji” logograms are used in the Japanese writing system.
SUMMARY.
Japanese diplomatic missions to Tang China (遣唐使, kentōshi) were Japanese efforts to learn Chinese culture and civilization from Tang China, in the 7th to 9th centuries.
The tabulation ABOVE is important in an historical context of Kukai.
#0. Baimu Temple, Luoyang CHINA 68 AD.
#1. Nalanda University, Bihar INDIA founded 427 AD.
#2. Qinglong Temple, Xi’an CHINA founded 582 AD.
#3. Xi’ming Temple Chang’an CHINA founded 656 AD.
#4. Daigaku-ryo University Nara JAPAN founded 728 AD.
#5. Kentoshi “Kanmu-Dezong” JAPAN-CHINA founded 804 AD.
COMMENTS.
Kukai was a member of the 804 AD diplomatic mission (遣唐使, kentōshi) between the emperors of Japan and China (Kanmu-Dezong). Kukai had been a student at Daigaku-ryo University Nara JAPAN.
Baimu Temple, Luoyang CHINA 68 AD was the source of two inventions PAPER & PRINTING. Qinglong and Xi’ming Temples had books printed on paper. Nalanda University, Bihar INDIA founded 427 AD was a Buddhist monastic university. 玄奘 Xuanzang (602-664 AD) was a Chinese traveler who brought back books from Nalanda University Bihar INDIA.
The legacy of Kukai is bringing the JAPANESE a script “kana” for writing. Today, downtown Tokyo JAPAN has the “National Diet’ Library” and the “Tokyo Koyasan Buddhist Temple”. Kukai legacy can be traced to both Tokyo landmarks (signs shown BELOW).
