Fusang and beyond: The Haunted Seas to Japan

Abstract

The transit from T'ang to Japan is reflected in poems written by Chinese gentlemen at farewell parties held in honor of departing Japanese monks. These dwell on the wonders and dangers of the high seas, and speculate about the location of the fabulous land of Fu-sang, at the birthplace of the sun. After some discussion of the inhuman creatures one might expect to encounter on the passage, this essay focuses on their strange floating palaces, and closes with an intimate view of these in the rich language of a poetic rhapsody by Wang Ch'i.