都統
Can anyone tell me anything about the Chinese historical term 都統?
I understand the literal meaning of the two characters separately, that is, governing/overall/ruling the capital, but as this appears from the text I'm reading to have a very specific function and historical meaning in relation to particular posts/titles, such as 都統使 (the embassy/ambassador of the ruler of the capital?) and 都統使司 (the official of the embassy of the ruler of the capital?), I am hoping anyone might be able to provide more specific, historical, information.
To be more specific, I am reading the Gaiban Tsuusho (外蕃通書), a 19th century Japanese document about Tokugawa Japan's diplomatic relations. In this particular section, dealing with the state of affairs in early 17th century Vietnam, the document explains that the Nguyen (阮) lords of southern
Vietnam were not "kings" (王) and were frequently styled, particularly in Chinese documents, as 「都統瑞国公」、「大都統使瑞国公」and the like, also stating that they received 都統使 from Ming (presumably some sort of embassy), and now, it would seem that in the past, the kings/emperors received investiture (my interpretation may be off; lit. "seals were done to them", 封せらる) from China, and became 都統使司, receiving (the title? or the embassy?) 都統使.
Any thoughts, insights, would be most appreciated. Thank you.
I understand the literal meaning of the two characters separately, that is, governing/overall/ruling the capital, but as this appears from the text I'm reading to have a very specific function and historical meaning in relation to particular posts/titles, such as 都統使 (the embassy/ambassador of the ruler of the capital?) and 都統使司 (the official of the embassy of the ruler of the capital?), I am hoping anyone might be able to provide more specific, historical, information.
To be more specific, I am reading the Gaiban Tsuusho (外蕃通書), a 19th century Japanese document about Tokugawa Japan's diplomatic relations. In this particular section, dealing with the state of affairs in early 17th century Vietnam, the document explains that the Nguyen (阮) lords of southern
Vietnam were not "kings" (王) and were frequently styled, particularly in Chinese documents, as 「都統瑞国公」、「大都統使瑞国公」and the like, also stating that they received 都統使 from Ming (presumably some sort of embassy), and now, it would seem that in the past, the kings/emperors received investiture (my interpretation may be off; lit. "seals were done to them", 封せらる) from China, and became 都統使司, receiving (the title? or the embassy?) 都統使.
Any thoughts, insights, would be most appreciated. Thank you.