A distinctive musical-cultural phenomenon in ancient Asia was the practice of music gifting at the national level. The 7th to 9th centuries AD marked the peak of this tradition, documented in over 50 relevant historical sources. More than a simple exchange or fusion of music, these events were deeply intertwined with the political and geographical contexts of the time, and music often served as a vehicle for diplomatic etiquette. Previous scholarship on ancient Asian diplomacy had mainly overlooked the role of music gifting as a strategic medium of shaping cultural identity. This study finds that music gifting functioned as both a diplomatic tool and a cultural unifier, forging lasting bonds between diverse Asian polities and consolidating a shared Eastern musical culture.