Naval Architecture: The Development of Japanese Shipbuilding

Abstract

The shipbuilding industry in Japan may be said to have originated in prehistoric ages, and the importance of encouraging shipbuilding in this Island Empire had been felt as early as nearly 2 000 years ago, the first Imperial edict in relation thereto having been issued in 80 B. C. by the tenth Emperor, “Sujin-Tenno.” Most of the ships in those days were undoubtedly of canoe-build, cut from solid blocks of timber, but their form and construction underwent gradual improvement, and they were increased in number and size. It seems quite certain that many of them were engaged in ocean navigation since the latter part of the first century between the home and Corean ports; it is also recorded that as far back as 200 A. D.