Beginning in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Joseon rulers began sending emissaries to Japan in an effort to establish diplomatic ties. Throughout the Joseon era, the two nations engaged in active cultural exchange in a number of diverse areas, including Neo-Confucianism, literature, medicine, and fine art. Joseon envoys to Japan would begin their journey in Hanseong (Seoul), where they would have an audience with the king before departing for Busan. From there, they took a ship to Tsushima Island, where they met up with an Edo feudal lord who would provide escorts to take them to Osaka. Finally, they completed their journey by traveling over land to Edo (present-day Tokyo). At each port they stopped at, the envoys were received with great hospitality by the local daimyo (territorial lords). This picture shows a procession of Joseon emissaries traveling to Edo Castle in 1636 (14th year of King Injo’s reign). Their ostensible mission was to congratulate Japan for a recent period of peace, but they were also determined to gauge Japan’s political environment and future intentions. The entourage comprised 475 people, including the chief and vice chief emissaries, official historians, scribes, doctors, painters, skilled equestrians, and other personnel from a diverse range of occupations.