Feudal Japanese Christian woman to be portrayed in play

Feudal Japanese Christian woman to be portrayed in play

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Uto Mayor Shigeki Motomatsu (L), lead actress Ryoko Usui (2nd from L) and Uto's mascot character "Uton Yukinaga shan" (C) join a press conference announcing the musical "Julia Otaa" in Uto, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 24, 2014. The stage play, opening on Sept. 20, portrays the life of a woman of Korean descent adopted by a local Japanese warlord and Christianized in the late 16th century when Christianity was not fully permitted.

Experimental voyage aims to resolve mystery of ancient stone coffins

Experimental voyage aims to resolve mystery of ancient stone coffins

UTO, Japan - A replica of an ancient boat (R) sets off for a monthlong experimental voyage from Uto, Kumamoto Prefecture, to Osaka on July 24 in a bid to resolve an archeological mystery in the sixth to seventh centuries -- how heavy stone coffins were shipped to emperors' tombs in the Kinki region some 800 kilometers away. The 12-meter-long wooden boat, rowed by 18 people, tows two boards with a replicated coffin made of the ''makadoishi'' stone on them.

Experimental voyage aims to resolve mystery of ancient stone coffins

Experimental voyage aims to resolve mystery of ancient stone coffins

UTO, Japan - A crew of 18 persons rows a replica of an ancient boat out into the sea off Uto, Kumamoto Prefecture, on a monthlong experimental voyage to Osaka on July 24, aimed at resolving an archeological mystery in the sixth to seventh centuries -- how heavy stone coffins were shipped to emperors' tombs in the Kinki region some 800 kilometers away. The 12-meter-long wooden boat is towing a barge loaded with a replicated coffin made of the ''makadoishi'' stone on them.