People have always loved the ocean. The world’s oceans have brought forth life beneath the waves. For the Japanese—inhabitants of Pacific islands—the ocean has meant more than just a source of food and salt. Since ancient times, it has served as a highway for trade, a channel for customs, and a foundation for spiritual practices. The traditions of sea folk are defined by a deep and enduring relationship between people and the sea.

In Japan, gods are believed to reside everywhere. This is an important concept for understanding Japanese faith. Gods may dwell in a house, a boat, or even a small piece of wood. Because of this belief, the Japanese revere natural phenomena. Meet Ebisu, the Japanese god of fortune and harvest.

Industrial waste discharge and land reclamation have destroyed tidal flats and shallow seaweed beds—habitats for small marine life. Thermal pollution from nuclear power plants is also affecting the entire marine environment. Our daily lives can easily become sources of pollution. When we begin to notice the S.O.S. signals from marine organisms, it’s time to take action and save our seas.

The history of ama (women divers) fishing dates back over 10,000 years. How could they catch abalones in less than 50 seconds without scuba equipment? Try holding your breath for as long as the ama when watching them dive.
「Ama divers are Incredible!」(English PDF)

Ise Bay was once a bountiful fishing area, where people would catch only what they needed for the day. In those days, people depended on themselves or what nature provided. "Utase-ami ryo," a traditional fishing method using trawling nets and sailboats, was one of the techniques employed by fishermen.

In the past, traditional methods such as dropping octopus pots, harpooning marlins, sharks, and whales, and catching schools of sand lance with scoop nets were commonly used in the area. However, these practices have been replaced by technological innovations. Don't miss the processing of katsuo-bushi (dried bonito) and nori (seaweed), both of which are essential ingredients in preparing Japanese dishes.

Travel back in time and listen to the sounds of the waves with the collection of original Japanese and Asian wooden boats in the museum's ship storage. In Japan, boat builders used to place a spirit called funadama-san in each new boat they made. As the number of boat builders dwindles today, unique and traditional construction techniques are disappearing.