Pinned underneath here, you’ll find the phrase “Kohyo Korai.” It is the name of a poem sung as a prayer for safety to the envoys who risked their lives on their voyages to Tang-era China. Looking at these characters, let’s trace back to the history of this time. In this period, Japan and China had a very close relationship politically, economically, and culturally. These envoys, who were hired by the Japanese government, would engage in many forms of cultural exchange at their dispatch sites, and bring the cultural knowledge they gained back to Japan. Modern-day travelers are undeniably like their ancient counterparts; what will you bring back from your travels to Nara?