Ennin's Travels in T'ang China

The narrative offers a vivid reconstruction of ninth-century China through the travel diary of Ennin, a Japanese Buddhist monk. Journeying to China in AD 838, he sought new Buddhist texts and deeper spiritual understanding. His detailed observations capture the daily life, culture, and thoughts of the time as he traverses North China and resides in Ch'ang-an, providing a unique glimpse into the historical and spiritual landscape of the era.