99.6% of trade is by ship? Why does a block of iron float? Ferries, battleships, cruise ships. A thorough analysis of all "ships"! "The Illustrated Book of Ships: So Interesting You Can't Sleep" released on 3/24!

Nihon Bungeisha Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has released the latest installment in its popular illustrated series, which has sold over 4 million copies, "The Illustrated Book of Ships: So Interesting You Can't Sleep" (supervised by Yoshiho Ikeda), on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at bookstores and online stores nationwide.

A ship, a mass of iron, floats on the water as a matter of course. This book unravels the many "whys" in an easy-to-understand way.

Why are modern people fascinated by "ships"?

In recent years, cruise ship and ferry travel has been gaining renewed attention. However, we are surprisingly unfamiliar with the answers to simple questions like, "Why doesn't such a huge mass of iron sink?" and "Why do ship names have 'Maru' in them?"

In Japan, an impressive 99.6% of trade is supported by "ships." This book, supervised by Yoshiho Ikeda (Professor Emeritus at Osaka Prefecture University and Visiting Professor at Osaka Metropolitan University), a leading authority in naval engineering, thoroughly explains the mechanics, history, culture, and the unknown behind-the-scenes of ships, accompanied by the series' renowned easy-to-understand illustrations.

Highlights of this book (a selection)

The Wonders of Science: What is the principle that prevents giant iron ships from sinking, and what is the amazing latest technology that suppresses sideways roll?

Rules of Navigation: The traffic rules for avoiding collisions on the high seas and the inside story of high-tech navigation.

History and Culture: From ancient dugout canoes to battleships, and to modern luxury liners. Why are ships treated as "female"?

Surprising Trivia: How long is a ship's lifespan? How do the huge engines work?

From ancient times to the present. Maritime transport has moved the world.

Long-distance transport with low fuel consumption! The greatest feature of a ship is its ability to carry large 'quantities'!