The Kenminsen was Japan's typical ship in the Muromachi period (1338‑1573). Although it also carried Japanese missions to China, it was the authorised, profit‑making, merchant ship. It was a distinctively Japanese vessel, with no influence from Chinese techniques in shape, structure or equipment. It had broad planking (outer boards), ship beams, scull racks on the outsides and rudder; all characteristic of Japanese built craft of later times. The Kenminsen had a capacity ranging up 300 tons.
The vessels used as Kenminsens were merchant ships which usually served internal routes, and contrasted with Kentoshisens, which were newly built with state budget funds. The gap between shipbuilding techniques for the two types of ships was quite wide.
Sea Breezes May 1976.
Japan SG1407