Description
Networks of Faith and Profit provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic and religious connections that bound China and Japan together during the medieval period. Yiwen Li demonstrates how Buddhist monasteries served as crucial nodes in trans-regional trade networks, with monks acting as merchants, diplomats, and cultural intermediaries.
The book traces the evolution of sino-Japanese relations through the lens of religious institutions, showing how faith and commerce were deeply intertwined. Li examines merchant activities, maritime trade routes, and the exchange of goods, ideas, and spiritual practices that shaped both civilizations. By focusing on the period from 839 to 1403 CE, the author captures a critical era of transformation in East Asian connectivity, challenging conventional narratives that separate religious and economic spheres.
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