Xu Fu was born in 255 BC, in Qi, ancient China. Xu Fu was a court sorcerer and was sent on two voyages to look for the Elixir of Life by Qin Shi Huang, the ruler of Qin. Xu travelled for many years with a fleet of 60 ships, 5000 crew members and various artisans and three thousand boys and girls. It is said that he landed in Japan and named Mount Fuji as Penglai. He is said to have been instrumental in the development of the ancient Japanese culture and society. Xu introduced new farming techniques and knowledge in agriculture and it is believed that he introduced many new plants to the Japanese.
Do you know: Xu Fu is worshipped as the god of silk, farming and Medicine by the Japanese and there are numerous temples dedicated to him in many places in Japan.
