Joseon Tongsinsa Ships Traveling Between Korea and Japan Cross the Korea Strait Again After 200 Years

2018 Restored Joseon Tongsinsa Ship
Set Sail Next Month for Two-Day Voyage
Participating in Japan's 'Izuhara Port Festival'

After the Imjin War, the Joseon Tongsinsa ships, which traveled to Japan 12 times, will cross the Korea Strait again after more than 200 years. Starting with the Haesinje ritual on the 28th and the departure ceremony on the 29th, the ships will depart from Busan Port between August 1 and 4 and arrive at Tsushima Island in Japan over two days. On August 1, they will sail for five hours using both motor power and traditional sails. The Joseon Tongsinsa ship, restored in 2018, is 149 tons in size, with a length of 34.5 meters, a width of 9.3 meters, and a height of 5 meters.

Departure scene of the Joseon Tongsinsa ship
[Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

From August 5 to 6, the ship will participate in the Izura Port Festival. There will be a floating museum and cultural performances aboard the Joseon Tongsinsa ship, a reenactment of the Daemadoju ritual, and a parade showcasing the Joseon Tongsinsa delegation.

The Joseon Tongsinsa ships were international exchange vessels that traveled between Korea and Japan for about 200 years, from 1607 to 1811, following the Imjin War. Over 12 missions, more than 500 envoys were exchanged to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “We hope that the Joseon Tongsinsa ship, recreated as a historical and cultural resource through this opportunity, will serve as a medium to expand cultural exchange between Korea and Japan,” and added, “We will continue to closely cooperate with domestic and international related organizations to further activate international cultural experience programs utilizing the Joseon Tongsinsa ship.”

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