As given by the Japanese Post:
UTASEBUNE is a ship for net-fishing, of which sole power source is the force of wind. This sort of ship has a history of about 400 years old but it was introduced to Kumamoto around the early Meiji era.
By the net-fishing of UTASEBUNE, prawns, crabs and squillas are caught.
From 1981 UTASEBUNE tours have attracted many visitors in Asikita Town, Kumamoto.
The Book; Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of the World’s watercraft gives on this craft.
She work with an utasi-ami (trawl net), drifting broadside. One type, found in Ise and Tokyo Bays and the Inland Sea is plank built with sharp plumb bow and shallow square overhanging stern. Wide side planks extend beyond the stern, vertical transom; hard chimes; plank keel; bottom may be slightly lower at the bow to facilitate drifting. Decked; low bulwarks; slightly raised quarter-deck with shallow standing room.
Deep rudder worked with a short tiller; crutch at stern.
Steps two to three masts, setting battened lugsails while drifting; in later period, engines used when travelling to fishing grounds.
Tonnage 3 – 15 grt. Dim. 6 meter length, beam 1.22.
Crew 3 -7.
She is also known as UTASI-AMI-GYOSEN.
Japan 1999 80yen, sg ?, scott?