Case No. #1516
The Rising Human Shape in Tsushima's Waters
Summary
In August 2020 and June 2022, divers and a local fisherman in the waters near Tsushima Island in Nagasaki separately observed a human-shaped silhouette rising from the deep toward them. In the 2020 case, all four members of a diving group witnessed the shape simultaneously. On approach in both incidents, nothing was found. Marine biology, light refraction, and floating debris were assessed as insufficient explanations for the specific upward movement, human outline, and duration. Tsushima's waters contain multiple unrecovered wrecks from the 1905 Battle of Tsushima.
Details
Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture lies close to the Korean Peninsula and is known for its clear waters and dive sites. The surrounding sea was the site of the Battle of Tsushima in the Russo-Japanese War (1905), and multiple wrecks and unrecovered remains are believed to lie on the seafloor.
In August 2020, a group of four recreational divers at approximately 10 meters depth all simultaneously observed a dark, adult-sized human silhouette with visible limbs rising from the deeper water. Within seconds of approaching, nothing was present at the location. All four surfaces immediately. Multiple simultaneous witnesses experiencing the same visual impression rules out simple individual misperception.
In June 2022, a local fisherman in his fifties, diving alone, observed "a person rising from the deep" and attempted to swim toward what he thought was a drowning victim. On approach, nothing was there. He later filed a report; the Bureau confirmed the description matched the 2020 account.
Marine biology (large fish, dolphin, juvenile whale), optical refraction, and drifting objects (logs, seaweed masses) were all examined as possible explanations. The combination of a human-shaped outline with visible limbs, an upward trajectory, and a duration of several to more than ten seconds was assessed as inconsistent with the typical behavior of any of these candidates.
A local shrine priest stated: "Tsushima's waters are sacred ground from ancient times. Those who fell at sea are believed to sometimes make themselves known. This has long been understood here."
Timeline
- August 2020All four divers at 10 m depth simultaneously observe a human-shaped silhouette rising from the deep. All surface immediately on approach revealing nothing.
- June 2022Local fisherman diving alone observes rising human shape, attempts rescue approach, finds nothing.
- 2022 (assessment)Marine biology, refraction, and floating debris all assessed as insufficient explanations for shape, movement, and duration.
- 2023Battle of Tsushima wreck and unrecovered remains records examined; multiple sites confirmed.
- PresentUnderwater camera continuous observation of the relevant zone planned.
Witness Testimony
Diving tourist (female, 30s)"I thought a person was rising from the deep. It had arms and legs. But when it got close, there was nothing. All four of us saw it. It was definitely human-shaped. We panicked."
Local fisherman (male, 50s)"I thought someone was drowning and swam toward it to help. But when I got close, it was gone. People have always said strange things happen in these waters. This was the first time I experienced it myself."
Local shrine priest (age undisclosed)"Tsushima's waters are special. Those who died at sea rest here. It has long been understood that they sometimes make themselves visible. I regard this as the same kind of event."
Kyu's Analysis
A human silhouette rose from the deep, seen by four witnesses simultaneously. On approach: nothing. The seafloor of Tsushima holds the sleeping dead.
