"Lady of the Sea" Crosses Oceans: Japanese Sailing Ship "Kaiwo Maru" Visits Canada

Central News Agency (Vancouver, May 1st) — The world-renowned large Japanese sailing ship "Kaiwo Maru," after a 25-day voyage from Tokyo, arrived in Richmond, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada, commencing a friendly ocean cultural exchange.
This marks the "Kaiwo Maru's" third visit to the City of Richmond, with previous visits in 2004 and 2017. The city hosted the "Ships to Shore" Carnival at Gary Point Park in Steveston Village over the weekend, inviting the public to admire the beauty of this magnificent sailing ship.
Sailing officials today first guided reporters on board for a tour and introduction. The "Kaiwo Maru" is a training ship built by the Japanese government to cultivate merchant marine officers, primarily for students to practice navigation skills. It is known as one of Japan's "Two Great Sailing Ships" along with its sister ship, "Nippon Maru."
The second-generation "Kaiwo Maru," which is currently cruising, was built in 1989 and is one of the world's largest tall ships, measuring 361 feet long and 182 feet high, with 36 sails totaling 30,000 square feet. The first-generation "Kaiwo Maru" was launched in 1930 and retired decades later, now permanently moored and exhibited at Kaiwo Maru Park in Toyama Prefecture.
The "Kaiwo Maru" is famous for its elegant white hull and neatly rigged sails, earning it the nicknames "Lady of the Sea" or "White Swan of the Sea."
Sailing officials explained that while the second-generation "Kaiwo Maru" is equipped with more modern features than the first generation, its traditional and delicate style remains unchanged. Every mast, rope, and anchor on board is meticulously crafted and carefully maintained during its operation at sea.
The sailing officials emphasized that the rigorous training for trainees has also remained unchanged for nearly a century, as "safety at sea" is crucial.
Recalling the most thrilling memory of the 25-day voyage, a sailing official said: "We experienced four severe weather systems in total. The worst one had waves as high as 7 meters, causing the ship to list by about 33 degrees. It was a terrifying storm, and some trainees who had never gotten seasick before even vomited."
The sailing officials look forward to sharing the beautiful story of this sailing ship with the Canadian public over the weekend and noted that Japan has a deep relationship with the ocean. They hope that through the sailing ship, everyone can learn about Japan's transition and culture from maritime exploration to modern navigation training.
Dammy Ogunseitan, Director of Communications for Richmond, expressed delight at the "Kaiwo Maru's" return. He said that Steveston Village was once home to the largest Japanese community in Canada, where many Japanese fishermen settled, creating strong and enduring cultural ties. "The City of Richmond and Wakayama, Japan, are sister cities. Every April, we hold the Cherry Blossom Festival at Gary Point Park, and these beautiful cherry trees were donated by Wakayama." The carnival features diverse activities such as cultural performances, handicraft zones, and marine ecological areas. The public can not only experience the charm of the sailing ship up close but also learn about Richmond's unique coastal culture and historical heritage through the activities. (Editor: Tang Shengyang) 1150502
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