Underwater archaeologists using advanced high-frequency sonar have located the wreck of a 15th-century merchant vessel in the Seto Inland Sea. The ship, which dates to the Muromachi period, was found largely intact due to the low-oxygen environment of the seabed. Initial dives have recovered a cargo of rare black lacquerware, celadon ceramics from China, and copper ingots.
The vessel appears to have been part of a significant trade network connecting the Japanese islands with the Asian mainland. Researchers are particularly excited about the discovery of wooden tablets found in the hold, which contain calligraphy detailing the ship's manifest and destination, providing a rare window into medieval Japanese maritime logistics.