People love the ocean.The oceans of the world have brougt forth life under the sea. For the Japanese,inhabitants of pacific islands,the ocean has been more signeificant than just a place where peole get food and salt.The ocean has been used as a highway for trade or as the means of customs and religion etc.since ancient times.Traditions of Sea Folk has been characterized by a long and significant relationship between the ocean and people.

In Japan,gods reside everywhere.This is an important point to understand the Faith of Japanese.Gods may settle in a house, in a boat, and even in a small piece of wood. Japanese worship natural phenomena because of this belief. Meet "the Ebisu" god, the Japanese god that brings fortune and harvest.

Industrial waste dicharge and land reclamation have destroyed tidal flats and shallow seaweed areas, the home of small marine life. Thermal pollution from atomic generator plants is affecting the whole environment of the sea. Our daily life easily becomes a source of pollution. It's time to Save Our Seas when we notice S.O.S. signals from marine organisms.

The history of Ama(women diver)fishing dates back to 10000year ago.How could they catch abalones in less than 50 secound without scuba-equipment? Try holding your breath for as long as the Ama,when waching them dive.
「Ama divers are Incredible!」(English PDF)

Ise Bay used to be a favorable fishing area. People would catch just what food they needed for the day. In those days man depended on himself or being developed. "Utase-ami ryo",trawling nets using a sail-boat was one of traditional methods of fishermen.

In the past, dropping octopus-pots, harpooning Marlins, sharks and whales, snatching schools of sand lance by scoop net in the area have been replaced by technological innovation. Don't miss the processing of Katsuo-bushi(dried bonito) and nori(sea weed).Both of which are essential to prepare Japanese dishes.

Travel back in the past and hear the sounds of wave with the collection of Japanese original and Asian wooden boats in the museum's ship storage. In Japan, boat builders used to put a spirit called funadama-san in each new boat he made. As boat builders are becoming fewer in number today, unique and traditional construction techniques are disappearing.