Goshuin-sen
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:06 pm
The Goshuin‑sen was a merchant ship used for trading with South‑East Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was a trading ship authorised by the Tokugawa government and was licensed by the authorities for the purpose of controlling foreign trade. "Goshuin" means an "honourable" sealed letter, or a kind of passport, issued by the Government, while 'Sen' stands for ship. During the 32 years after the inauguration of this system until Japan's door was closed to the rest of the world, at least 355 such certificates were issued. In some years more than 20 Goshuin‑sen vessels sailed for South East Asia. Since old Japanese‑style ships like the Kenminsen were not suited for ocean navigation, imported junks of Chinese design and Siamese vessels as well as ocean‑going ships built in Japan called Nihonmae' were used. The Nihonmae was the respresentative style of Goshuin‑Sen and this type of vessel was owned by the leading Japanese trading concerns.
The ocean‑going ships seem to have been built by Japanese engineers, who had mastered techniques for Chinese junks in Hirado and Nagasaki by incorporating features of visiting Siamese ships. A Goshuin‑sen owned by Heizo Snetsugu was used for designing the postage stamp.
Sea Breezes May 1976.
Japan SG1409
The ocean‑going ships seem to have been built by Japanese engineers, who had mastered techniques for Chinese junks in Hirado and Nagasaki by incorporating features of visiting Siamese ships. A Goshuin‑sen owned by Heizo Snetsugu was used for designing the postage stamp.
Sea Breezes May 1976.
Japan SG1409