The Utsuro-bune Encounter: Did Japanese Fishermen Rescue An Alien In 1803?
By Sarah Norman | December 16, 2023
The First Investigation Into The story Occurred In 1844
In 1844, Kyokutei Bakin embarked on the earliest historical investigations into the perplexing Utsuro-bune incident. During his research, Kyokutei uncovered a fascinating source known as the "Roshia bunkenroku," which shed light on the clothing and hairstyles of traditional Russians. Intriguingly, the text detailed a common practice of dusting hair with white powder among Russian women, a detail that resonated with the peculiar white extensions found on the enigmatic woman inside the Utsuro-bune. The book also made note of the prevalence of natural red hair among Russian women and their attire, which bore a resemblance to the garments worn by the lady of the legend.
In The Early 19th Century Japanese Fisherman Came Face To Face With Extraordinary Creature
On February 22, 1803, off the coast of Harayadori in Hitachi Province, a group of fishermen made an extraordinary discovery when they spotted an unfamiliar vessel adrift at sea. With a sense of curiosity, they decided to tow the enigmatic craft to the shore for closer inspection. To their amazement, the vessel measured 3.30 meters in height and 5.45 meters in width, bearing a striking resemblance to a kōhako, a traditional Japanese incense burner. Its composition was equally perplexing, with the upper portion fashioned from red-lacquered rosewood, while the lower section was clad in metallic plates
We'll Never Know What Those Fishermen Really Experienced
Tthe Utsuro-bune legend has been a subject of scholarly inquiry by historians, ethnologists, and physicists, including notable figures like Kazuo Tanaka and Yanagita Kunio. These experts have situated the legend within the broader context of Japanese folklore. Additionally, some UFO enthusiasts have put forward the hypothesis that the tale could potentially represent evidence of a close encounter with extraterrestrial beings, further adding to the multifaceted nature of this intriguing historical narrative.
The Craft Was Fascinating To The Fishermen
Upon closer examination, the upper part of the vessel featured several windows composed of glass or crystal, each fitted with sturdy bars and sealed with a peculiar tree resin. The vessel's interior, visible through the transparent windows, held an air of mystique that left the bewildered fishermen both intrigued and perplexed.
The Interior Of The Craft Was Unlike Anything They'd Ever Seen
Inside the Utsuro-bune, the interior was adorned with inscriptions composed in a mysterious, unfamiliar language. Strangely, among the symbols within the vessel, there was one that bore a striking resemblance to South Korea's present-day flag. Among the items discovered by the fishermen within the craft were two bed sheets, a bottle containing 3.6 liters of water, as well as some cake and kneaded meat.
A Young Woman Was Waiting Inside
The fishermen encountered a young woman, appearing to be around 18 or 20 years old, with a height of approximately 1.5 meters (4.92 feet). Her striking features included red hair and eyebrows, which were lengthened with what seemed to be artificial white extensions, possibly made from white fur or thin, white-powdered textile strands—a hairstyle unlike any documented in literature. The lady's complexion was an exceedingly pale pink, and she was garbed in unfamiliar, long, and silky garments. Despite her courteous demeanor, communication proved elusive, as no one understood her language, and she seemed equally perplexed by the fishermen. Intriguingly, she constantly held onto a square-shaped box crafted from a pale material, measuring roughly 0.6 meters in size, and remained adamant about not allowing anyone to handle it, regardless of their kindness or insistence.
The Fishermen Chose Not To Report The Incident Because It Would Have Been Too Expensive
According to a translation of the story by Shoichi Kamon, the fishermen held off on telling authorities about their experience because the investigation would have been too costly. He translates:
"If information about this incident is relayed to the lord of the territory, we may be ordered to inspect this woman and the boat, which would be a costly endeavor. Since there is a precedent that this kind of boat should be cast back out to sea, we had better put her inside the boat and send it away. From a humanitarian viewpoint, this treatment is too cruel for her. However, this treatment would be her destiny."
The Encounter Is Similar To That Of a Japanese Folk Tale
One of Japan's renowned legends recounts the origin of the Kōno clan in Iyo Province. This tale dates back to the 7th century, featuring a fisherman named 'Wakegorō' who made an astonishing discovery. While out at sea near Gogo Island, he stumbled upon an Utsuro-bune, inside of which was a 13-year-old girl. He brought her ashore, where she shared a remarkable story—claiming to be the daughter of the Chinese emperor, fleeing from her oppressive stepmother. In honor of her newfound home, the fisherman bestowed upon her the name "Wake-hime," meaning "Princess Wake," and raised her as his own. Eventually, she married an imperial prince from Iyo Province, and they welcomed a son named "Ochimiko," who would become the progenitor of the Kōno clan. The legend also credits Princess Wake with introducing the first silk cocoons to Japan. To this day, Princess Wake is venerated at the Funakoshi Wakehime Shinto shrine, nestled in the village of Funakoshi on Gogo Island.
Early Researchers Believed The Mystery Woman To Be Of Russian Origin
Drawing parallels between the two accounts, Kyokutei proposed the possibility that the woman from the Utsuro-bune might have hailed from Russian origins. He noted that while the narratives slightly varied in certain details, such as the quantity of water mentioned (ranging from "3.6 liters" to "36 liters"), their core similarities were unmistakable. Additionally, Kyokutei questioned the origins of the mysterious symbols discovered within and on the vessel. Intriguingly, he recalled encountering similar signs on a British whaler stranded in the vicinity shortly before his investigation.
These revelations led Kyokutei to ponder whether the woman might have been a Russian, British, or even American princess.
A Modern Historian Believes The Whole Thing Is A Myth
Renowned ethnologist and historian, Yanagita Kunio, offers valuable insights into the enigmatic Utsuro-bune incident. Yanagita astutely notes that circular boats themselves were not uncommon in Japan; rather, it was the Western-like elements—such as the glass windows and sturdy protective plates—that bestowed an air of exoticism upon the Utsuro-bune. He delved deeper into similar legends and discovered a recurring motif: the discovery of an unusual girl or young woman within a circular vessel, often resulting in their rescue or return to the sea.
Historian Yanagita Kunio Notes That The Most Interesting Part Of The Story Is The Ship
Moreover, Yanagita uncovered that the earliest renditions of the Utsuro-bune legend described humble, open log-boats lacking any domed structure. To explain the addition of details like the brazen plates and glass or crystal windows, Yanagita posits a compelling theory. He suggests that these embellishments may have been incorporated to counter the skepticism surrounding the seaworthiness of a simple log-boat on the treacherous open sea. In contrast, a Utsuro-bune reinforced with steel and featuring glass windows would likely fare better during oceanic voyages, offering a more plausible narrative to skeptics and enhancing its survival prospects. Yanagita's perspective adds depth to the mystery, prompting us to consider not only the legend itself but also the layers of interpretation that have shaped its evolution.
There's One Major Knock Against This Craft Being A UFO
In 1997, Dr. Kazuo Tanaka, a distinguished Japanese professor specializing in computer and electronics engineering at Gifu University in Tokyo, conducted a comprehensive investigation into the original scripts related to the Utsuro-bune incident. Contrary to popular comparisons drawn between the Utsuro-bune and contemporary UFO sightings, Dr. Tanaka maintains a more grounded perspective. He underscores that the Utsuro-bune, as depicted in the legends, lacks the attributes commonly associated with modern UFOs—it neither flies nor moves independently, nor does it display any evidence of advanced technology. Instead, it remains stationary, drifting inertly upon the water.
One Researcher Believes This Story Is A Mix Of An Embellished Story And A Fanciful Myth
Dr. Tanaka's conclusions lead him to posit that the Utsuro-bune legend represents a fusion of folklore and imaginative storytelling. His assessment draws inspiration from the research conducted by Japanese historian Yanagita Kunio in 1925, who had previously delved into the tales surrounding the Utsuro-bune. These scholarly insights compel us to reconsider the nature of the Utsuro-bune phenomenon, emphasizing the role of storytelling and cultural imagination in shaping its narrative over time.
The Geography Of This Story May Be Way Off
Jason C. Hubbard Collection
Dr. Tanaka's investigation unveiled a significant discrepancy regarding the purported locations of "Haratono-hama" and "Harayadori." It became evident that these place names were fabrications introduced to lend an air of credibility to the anecdote. The narrative suggested that these coastal areas belonged to a Daimyō named Ogasawara Nagashige, who lived during the Edo period. However, historical records indicate that Ogasawara's domains were situated inland, and there is no concrete evidence to suggest any connection between him and the Pacific coast fishermen. The Ogasawara clan primarily served the renowned Tokugawa clan, which wielded authority over the northeastern region of Japan until 1868. Their principal holdings were located in the Hitashi province, which is geographically proximate to the eastern coastline.
A perplexing aspect noted by Dr. Tanaka was the absence of any mention of an event of such purported significance in official curatorial documents. During the Tokugawa era, stringent regulations required immediate reporting of any encounters with strangers along the shore. However, the only noteworthy incident documented during the late Tokugawa period occurred in 1824 when a British whaler ran aground on the northeastern coast of the Hitachi district.
The Locations May Be Totally Fabricated
Furthermore, Dr. Tanaka's research revealed that both the Ogasawara family and the Tokugawa clan conducted meticulous mapping of their territories and domains during their rule. Strikingly, the names "Haratono-hama" and "Harayadori" were conspicuously absent from these historical maps. Their absence persisted even in the comprehensive mappings of Japan conducted in 1907. Given the meticulous record-keeping of changes in place names throughout history, the omission of such important locations from official documents raises doubts about their existence. Dr. Tanaka posits that it is highly improbable that places as significant as "Haratono-hama" and "Harayadori" would have been overlooked in historical records if they had indeed existed.
UFO Researchers Believe That This Craft Is Remarkably Similar To Modern Ships
Within the realm of ufology, the Utsuro-bune legend has garnered attention as an early instance of a documented close encounter of the third kind. This interest stems from striking resemblances observed between Edo period depictions of the vessel and 20th-century descriptions of flying saucers. Some ufologists even propose the intriguing possibility that the Utsuro-bune may have been an Unidentified Submerged Object (USO). Their rationale is rooted in the enigmatic symbols purportedly discovered on the object, which frequently appear as additional elements within the visual representations.
This Sighting Is Weirdly Similar To A 20th Century UFO Experience
Some suggest that the symbols found within the ship bear a resemblance to those reported in the Rendlesham Forest Incident in England, while drawings of peculiar figures and unfamiliar symbols have surfaced in caves. UFO proponents also cite the woman's distinctive box, her unique physical appearance, and her unconventional attire as potential evidence supporting the idea of human visitation from beyond our world.
