Francisco Zeimoto

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Francisco Zeimoto was a Portuguese trader and mariner of the 16th century. Born in the Kingdom of Portugal, he sailed to Asia to seek new trading opportunities. In 1543, with António da Mota, he became one of the first Europeans to reach Japan. The pair were heading to Ningbo, China, but a storm carried them to Japan, where they began trading and opened early contact between Portugal and Japan. Zeimoto is credited with introducing firearms, especially the Portuguese arquebus, to Japan, changing warfare and technology there. Their voyage is remembered today at the Tanegashima Gun Festival on Tanegashima Island. Died: Unknown.