In late January,a donation of masks and thermometers from the Japan Youth Development Association in Tokyo to Hubei Province caused a stir on Chinese social media.
This was because of the powerful poetic message written on each box: “山川异域，风月同天。”. It literally translates to “Mountains and rivers on foreign land, wind and moon under the same sky.” or officially, “Lands apart, sky shared.” Besides the heartfelt regard and the elegant language, the quote also alluded a significant moment in the history of cultural exchange between the two countries.
The line comes from a seventh century Buddhist hymn by Prince Nagaya, a politician from the Nara period (710-794) of Japan, titled “Embroidered on Kasaya Robes for Good Karma”: Lands apart, sky shared. For the disciples of Buddha, to nurture good karma.
The hymn was embroidered on 1,000 Buddhist robes which Prince Nagaya had made and sent to the Tang court in China. It’s a part of his invitation for Chinese Buddhist monks to visit Japan. The poem was also included in the Complete Tang Poems, the largest existing collection of Tang poetry.
Inspired by the Prince’s hymn, Jianzhen, decided to go on a voyage to Japan. After six attempts and the loss of his eyesight, Jianzhen finally arrived, and made a significant contribution to the spread of Buddhism in Japan.
The reference does not only invoke shared history, but also mutual appreciation for ancient poetry in the Chinese language. Many in China were touched by the poetic expression of support from Japanese citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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