#Japan #Tokyo #National Archives #Utsuro-bune

Special Exhibition of 'Utsuro-bune' at the National Archives

The National Archives of Japan, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, will host a unique display of original materials related to the famous 'Utsuro-bune' from September 9 to September 23, 2023. The exhibition presents a rare opportunity to view historical documents concerning this enigmatic drifting vessel.

What is 'Utsuro-bune'?

In February 1803, a peculiar boat drifted ashore in the waters off the coast of Hitachi Province, which is present-day Ibaraki Prefecture. The boat had a distinctive round shape and contained a lone woman dressed in unfamiliar clothing. She was seen clutching a box approximately 60 cm square, and she could not communicate in the local language. This mysterious incident sparked curiosity and speculation, leading to various accounts of 'Utsuro-bune' that spread throughout Japan among scholars and enthusiasts of the time.

Recently, new documents related to 'Utsuro-bune' have been discovered within the National Archives' collection, prompting this special exhibition.

Exhibition Details

• - Duration: September 9 (Wed) to September 23 (Wed, public holiday) 2023
• - Open Days: The archive will be open on weekends and holidays. Note that it will be open on September 21 (Mon, holiday) as well, but is closed on Mondays.
• - Opening Hours: 9:15 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours until 8:00 PM every Friday.
• - Location: National Archives of Japan, Main Hall, Permanent Exhibition Room, 3-2 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda District.
• - Entrance Fee: Free

Key Exhibit Materials

1. 'Enkai Kibun'

This collection was compiled by Saito Gesshin (1804-1878), known for his geographic works including 'Edo Meisho Zue'. It comprises articles detailing foreign ships' arrivals and incidents of drifting vessels from the late Edo period to the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. Among the 40 volumes, one features an illustrated account of 'Utsuro-bune', depicting its spherical shape and the appearance of the woman aboard, rendered in a traditional Japanese style.

2. 'Hirokata Zuihitsu'

These miscellaneous notes were gathered by the Edo period retainer, Yashiro Hirokata (1758-1841). This work comprises anecdotes of strange happenings and simple analyses, consisting of 60 volumes previously housed at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This collection includes illustrations of the woman and the 'Utsuro-bune', along with observations from local residents and the author's speculation that the woman might have been a foreign princess based on inscriptions in the boat identified as 'barbarian writing'.

Related Digital Content

The exhibition also showcases a digital display titled 'Drifting Stories', featuring not only 'Utsuro-bune' but also instances of whales arriving at Shinagawa and foreign temples landing on Japanese shores. Furthermore, materials about prominent figures such as John Manjiro, who was rescued by an American ship after drifting from Japan, and Daigakuya Kōdayū, who drifted to the Aleutian Islands and subsequently made his way to Russia, can also be explored.

For further information and to access the digital exhibition, please visit: Digital Exhibition of Drifting Stories

Contact for Media Inquiries

For any press-related inquiries, please contact the exhibition team at the National Archives of Japan: Nakamura, Asai, or Suzuki at TEL: 03-6680-7206.