In 1803, a UFO was found off the coast of Japan. What was it, and who was inside?

In 1803, a strange vessel, unlike anything seen before, was found drifting off the coast of Japan. Inside the boat was an enigmatic woman, her features foreign, her language incomprehensible, and her origins unknown.

At the time, Japan was an isolated nation, its shores rarely breached by outsiders. Wars raged within, shoguns and daimyos rose and fell, and dynasties flourished, all while the wider world was largely oblivious. After banning nearly all foreign interactions in the early 1600s, Japan remained largely isolated from the outside world until the 1850s. Japan's isolation was so strict that any Japanese citizen who left the country and tried to return could face death.

Yet, this curious event, occurring decades before Japan's doors were opened to the world, continues to puzzle scholars today. Was the vessel a product of some distant culture? Could it have been something more extraordinary, perhaps even otherworldly—a UFO?

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Some scenes in this video are recreated for illustrative purposes, especially when historical imagery is unavailable or the events are too old to have visual records (sorry, no cameras in 1803). These recreations are based on thorough research and are intended to enhance your understanding of the story. I can assure you that far more care, time, and effort went into creating them than finding simple stock images or footage.

[Gappasaurus]

This story would be the perfect setup for a rom-com anime 😄
i wonder… 🤔

[juststringsandsteve]

The first recorded metal boat was made in 1777. Is it possible she accidentally launched a "modern" basket boat prototype and was set adrift? The vessel always had a very lifeboat feel to it to me. We like to think of 1800 being so long ago technologically but really things were way more advanced than we tend to imagine.

[hermosafieldsforever]

That was the best film I've ever seen regarding the Utsuru Buné, very provocative.
Thank you.
D

[dylanprince]

UFO - unidentified flying object
USO - unidentified submersible object
Utsuro-bune - boat

[generalzod]

It looks like the escape pod from the spy who loved me.

[Allegheny]

The boats description was round, not a saucer mind, but round, metal bottom with a rosewood top, windows (portholes?) and a hatch with supplies inside. This very much sounds like a modern life boat as used in harsh climates, closed to keep rough seas and cold weather out, except for being rosewood. I do think the girl may have been Russian and the writing inside not writing at all but decoration much like the symbols found on native American tee pee's, each symbol having a meaning but are not to be read as a book. A life boat from a rich Russians yacht perhaps.

[DaggersPOV]

" UFO theory can't be entirely dismissed."
Of course not. Everyone knows flying saucers are made from wood 🙃

[davidbateleur]

Its worth noting that Western Naval tradition states its very unlucky to have a woman on board any ship or boat. That makes these stories even more unusual.

[bradybuck]

Anybody else think of the character in 5th Element?
Asking for a friend.

[thor-ericsson]

You should include a symbol for AI-imagery or videos. I feel like this is becoming a nice trend, because it makes the creator look more transparent for being open about using AI.

[rustyshackleford]

Thumbnail pic looks like something out of a Gerry Anderson production.

[Chikistherussiantoy]

Who else is watching this in the year 1443 while getting your nails clipped by a peasant?

[KeweenawPatriot]

2:32 girl has 6 fingers. I don't see why AI would always have the wrong amount of fingers on humans. It's not like there's a variety of hand configurations.

[charleswood]

"She also... had 6 fingers on one of her hands..."

[antonyeastham]

A UFO made of rosewood and clear glass. Facepalm.

[smorgasbroad]

"What's in the box?!" Lol

[cmb]

I read about this story in a book that I have called invisible residents which is a compilation of different stories theorizing that ufo's actually come out of the deepest parts of the oceans not from outter space.

[CabOnceAgain]

Love dark5 but not a big fan of the new AI integrations to the storytelling

[FinkDaMushyCat]

I feel like she was either sent away or ran away, and was in search of help maybe. And wouldn't let go of the box due to having what was left of her family life. i.e. documents and photos.

[Kolesha]

Sounds like a plot for an anime movie, honestly.