Xu Fu

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This is a Chinese name; the family name is Xu.
A statue of Xu Fu in Weihai, Shandong

Xu Fu (Hsu Fu; Chinese: 徐福 or 徐巿[1]; pinyin: Xú Fú; Wade–Giles: Hsu2 Fu2; Korean: 서복, Seo Bok; Japanese: 徐福 Jofuku or 徐市 Jofutsu) was born in 255 BC in Qi, an ancient Chinese state, and served as a court sorcerer in Qin Dynasty China. He was sent by Qin Shi Huang to the eastern seas twice to look for the elixir of life.[2] His two journeys occurred between 219 BC and 210 BC. It was believed that the fleet included 60 barques and around 5,000 crew members, 3,000 boys and girls,[2] and craftsmen of different fields. After he embarked on a second mission in 210 BC, he never returned.[3] Various records suggest that he may have arrived and died in the lands of what is modern-day Japan.


The expedition in search of the medicine for immortality.




Those who support the theory that Xu Fu landed in Japan credit him with being the catalyst for the development of ancient Japanese society. The Jōmon culture which had existed in ancient Japan for over 6,000 years suddenly disappeared around 300 BC. The farming techniques and knowledge that Xu brought along are said to have improved the quality of life of the ancient Japanese people and he is said to have introduced many new plants and techniques to ancient Japan. The worship of Xu Fu as the "God of farming", "God of medicine" and "God of silk" by the Japanese is attributed to these achievements. Numerous temples and memorials of Xu can be found in many places in Japan. In Xuzhou, near Yangzhou, there is a Xu Fu Research Institute attached to Xuzhou Teachers College.[2]

The fictional character Xu Fu, who appears in comics published by Marvel Comics, is based on him.[4]


  1. ^ Note: Not to be confused with the character
  2. ^ a b c Lee, Khoon Choy Lee. Choy, Lee K. [1995] (1995). Japan--between Myth and Reality: Between Myth and Reality. World Scientific publishing. ISBN 981-02-1865-6, ISBN 978-981-02-1865-2.
  3. ^ Liu, Hong. The Chinese Overseas: Routledge Library of Modern China. Published by Taylor & Francis, [2006] (2006). ISBN 0-415-33859-X, 9780415338592.
  4. ^ Jonathan Maberry (w), Phil Winslade (a). "Part 3" Captain America: Hail Hydra 3 (May 2011), New York City: Marvel Comics

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