Traditional wooden sailboat Maran ship revived on Henza Island

Traditional wooden sailboat Maran ship revived on Henza Island

 

A wooden sailboat called Maran ship was restored for the first time since before over seventy years.

 

The sailboat was presented to residents at Henza public hall in Uruma City on July 31.

 

A presentation ceremony was not held due to the effect of typhoon No. 12.

 

However, many residents celebrated the newly-restored Maran ship by performing Kachashi dance amid cheers from fishermen, and the sound of gongs and drums.

 

Sixty-year-old boat builder Haruki Goeku, who works at Henza, and three assistant boat builders, including Goeku’s son Yuki, 32, restored the traditional sailboat.

 

At the ceremony, Uruma City Mayor Toshio Shimabukuro presented a letter of appreciation to them.

 

Tatsuki Iha, a second-grade student of Ayahashi Junior High School named the boat “Kisinmaru.”

 

He said, “I want the sailboat to be a symbol of travelling towards hope.”

 

Uruma City Office plans to invite people to an embarkation experience on August 16 and 17.

 

After that, the boat will be open for viewing to the public.

 

Mayor Shimabukuro said, “We would like to make use of the Maran ship to educate society and the local community through its exhibition program.”

 

(English translation by T&CT)

 

(Ryukyu Shimpo, 5 Tuesday August 2014 The Roman)