Qin Shi Huang, who established China's first feudal dynasty, created a system that has influenced future generations. The Emperor Qin Shi Huang, out of fear of death, first pursued immortality.
Xu Fu, who claimed to be able to connect with the gods, deceived Qin Shi Huang's trust, and finally disappeared from people's vision with 500 virgin boys and girls.
The whereabouts of Xu Fu have become an unsolved mystery, and in many accounts, Xu Fu and his party eventually went to Japan and became the ancestors of the Japanese people. So, what are the facts?
The emperor asked for immortals and went into the sea to pursue
After Qin Shi Huang unified the world, he became the first emperor in China's history to "add to the four seas". While chasing the peak of power, Qin Shi Huang also had the desire to live forever because he was immersed in the life of the emperor.
In order to realize his pursuit of immortality, Qin Shi Huang began to look for alchemists who claimed to have magic to help him "realize his dream". Xu Fu, who came to see him, found his own opportunity.
According to the "Records of History", "The Qi people Xu (Fu) and others wrote that there were three sacred mountains in the Sea of Words, known as Penglai, Abbot, yingzhou, and immortals living in it. Fast and ask for it with the virgins. So he sent thousands of men and women into the sea to seek immortals. ”
It can be seen that Xu Fuli used Qin Shi Huang's eagerness to seek immortality to achieve his immortal psychology, deceived Qin Shi Huang's trust, and "abducted" 500 boys and girls.
The whereabouts are unknown, and the legend is written into a book
Xu Fu disappeared from people's vision. Overseas immortality has also become one of the paths in the hearts of many people who dream of immortality and pursue immortal magic.
So why did Japan become the destination that many consider Xu Fu and his party? First of all, Xu Fu entered the sea and crossed to the east, and from the geographical point of view, Japan is likely to become a destination. In the historical records of later generations, we can also find corresponding clues from some legends.
During the Five Dynasties period, The Japanese who came to China, Kuansuke, recounted the legend that Hadsan Xu Fuqiuxian had visited Japan to his friend Yichu monk. Yi Chu later recorded Kuan fu's oral description in his Yi Chu Liu Ti Cheng Kuo Nihon.
The book records: "The country of Japan is also known as the Kingdom of Wa, in the Middle East China Sea. During the Qin Dynasty, Xu Fu sent five hundred boys and five hundred virgins to the kingdom. Today's characters are just like Chang'an. ”
As for Mount Penglai, which is widely spread in China, the Japanese regard it as their own Mt. Fuji. "And in the northeast, there are mountains in the thousands, famous rich mountains, also known as Penglai, its mountains are steep, on three sides is the sea, one is towering, there is fire smoke on the top, there are treasures flowing down in the middle of the day, but on the night, often hear music." Xu Fu stopped this, called Penglai, and his descendants are still known as the Qin clan. ”
The cause of the kingdom is the faith of the people
The name "Japan" actually derives from the name given by Wu Zetian, and before that, successive Chinese dynasties had made the country of Japan a "Uighur Kingdom". "倭" means short stature.
So why do Japanese people always maintain a small stature, and therefore called "Uighur Kingdom"? In the legend related to Xu Fu, the following of virgin boys and virgins to become Japanese is one of the arguments of Xu Fu's descendants.
Many people, including Japanese, believe that the virgin boys and girls of Dongdu give birth and reproduce in Japan, which is the reason for the short stature of Japanese people.
In Japan, the idea of Xu Fudong crossing japan was constantly expanded and developed, and Xu Fu, who was active in the Qin Dynasty, was eventually deified
Became a Japanese god.
A considerable number of Japanese people regard Xu Fu as a rain god who can call the wind and rain, and whenever the climate is dry, they will pray for rain by sacrificing Xu Fu.
Another part of the Japanese believed that Xu Fu was the first emperor to open up The Territory of Japan, Emperor Shenmu, and had the supremacy and ability.
As time goes by, a conclusion is formed
As the exchanges between China and Japan gradually deepened, the relations between the two countries became closer, and Xu Fudongdu also became an important link between the two countries.
During the Tang Dynasty, Japan sent Envoys to China to study, and Li Bai and Pi Rixiu wrote poems about Xu Fu's inheritance relationship with the Japanese, and Japan was very happy to accept this argument.
Since then, although the relationship between the two countries has become more complicated, Japan has always adhered to the statement that Xu Fu has a close relationship with itself. In 1975, the "Hong Kong Tsui Fuk Association" was established. Mikasa Palace, the brother of Emperor Showa of Japan at the time, once said emotionally in his congratulatory speech: "Xu Fu is the father of our Japanese people. ”
Today, a tone of xu fu and dongdu virgin boys and girls has been formed in Japan, and the conclusion that has finally been formed seems to show that the relationship between China and Japan has a long history and is difficult to cut.
brief summary
The story of Xu Fudongdu itself has mythical overtones, but it has also been proved in the history books that it is indeed a real event.
Because of its geographical location and character characteristics, Japan has become the destination and settlement of Xu Fudongdu, and naturally there is a reason for it.
References: "History", "Yichu Liu ti"