Japan UFO Incident in 1699: Humanoid UFO Encounter?

An Enigmatic Encounter with a Humanoid Visitor Aboard a Mysterious Vessel in 17th-Century Japan

Who was the mysterious lady who allegedly appeared on the shore of Japan in 1699?

Today (June 5, 1699), a never-before-seen boat resembling a Japanese smoking furnace (kōhako) arrived on the shore of Atsuta. According to local fishermen, it had drifted there from the direction of Ise.

The mysterious vessel has thick glass windows that gleamed like polished mercury. Inside was found a peculiar lady dressed in elegant courtly attire—extremely lovely to look at. Beside her lay the severed head of a monk, pierced with a large nail. 

A written note recorded the date the boat had departed, revealing that the lady had been at sea for more than 100 days before being found. She seemed to survive the long journey on dried fruits. Also discovered on board were twenty strange gold coins, unlike any seen before.

The tale about the mysterious vessel and the woman has spread even to the farthest provinces and is now widely circulated across the country, with many speaking of it as if they had seen her themselves.

Some claim it is all a clever trick by thieves. Another suggests it might have been the staging of a kyōgen (comic play or farcical performance). But what the truth is, no one knows.

Translated from the original Japanese by Matus Taratuta©

Our Evaluation of the Alleged UFO Sighting:

A strange boat that arrived at Atsuta in 1699 continues to draw interest today.   

Described as an unfamiliar vessel with glass-covered windows, it carried a beautiful woman and unusual items like gold coins. The story blends intriguing details with elements that invite skepticism—for example, the severed head of a monk found aboard adds a haunting twist, challenging straightforward explanations such as a UFO encounter. 

It seems to be one of many Utsuro-bune-like tales predating even the famous Utsuro-bune incident from 1803.

While the author of the 1699 account suggests that the incident can be nothing more than a clever trick or theatrical performance, modern readers might consider it an early report of an alien visitor. However, without concrete evidence, the true nature of the event will likely remain a mystery forever. 

Reference:

 Oumurouchuki