Tokugawa Ieharu
In the 40th year of King Yeongjo's reign, a diplomatic envoy was dispatched to Japan. This mission to the shogunal court of Tokugawa Ieharu arrived in the shogunal capital the 1st year of "Meiwa", as reckoned by the Japanese calendar. Jo Eom was the chief envoy in 1764; and 477 traveled with him. The renowned Edo period poet Fukuda Chiyo-ni was chosen to prepare the official Japanese gift presented to the Korean Delegation, and she crafted and delivered 21 artworks based on her 21 haiku. This ambassador is important historical figure because he is credited with introducing sweet potatoes as a food crop in Korea. The "new" food staple was encountered during the course of this diplomatic mission.