The Meiji Maru is a historic Japanese sailing vessel built in 1873 by Robert Napier and Sons in Govan, Scotland. Originally constructed as a two-masted lighthouse tender for the Japanese government, the ship played a significant role in Japan’s maritime history. Its design includes two masts suitable for sailing, and it was later re-rigged as a full-rigged ship in 1898 by the Shomei Shipbuilding Company in Shinagawa, enhancing its sailing capabilities. The vessel’s service history is notably marked by its connection to Emperor Meiji. In 1876, Emperor Meiji traveled aboard the Meiji Maru from Aomori to Hakodate and then to Yokohama. The ship uniquely features a decorated cabin reserved for the emperor, emphasizing its importance as a royal vessel. The emperor’s journey on the Meiji Maru is commemorated in Japan through Marine Day, observed on the third Monday in July, which originally celebrated his arrival in Yokohama at the end of that voyage. After its active service, the Meiji Maru was transferred in 1897 to the Tokyo Nautical School, where it served as a moored training ship. This institution later became part of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. In 1964, the vessel was moved to the Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine to serve as a memorial. It underwent an extensive eight-year restoration, completed in 1988, ensuring its preservation as a significant maritime artifact. Today, the Meiji Maru functions as a museum ship displayed at the Etchujima Campus of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. It stands as a symbol of Japan’s maritime heritage and its early adoption of modern navigation and lighthouse technology. Its historical and cultural significance is highlighted by its association with the emperor’s journey and its role in maritime education.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.