noun
wooden transport ship used on Lake Biwa
Specifically refers to a traditional wooden cargo vessel that operated on Lake Biwa; also known as 丸子船 (marukobune).
See also: 丸子船
琵琶湖の歴史資料館には、かつて使われていた丸太船の模型が展示されている。
A model of the wooden transport ship once used on Lake Biwa is displayed at the Lake Biwa Museum.
noun
log vessel; large dugout canoe
General term for a boat made from logs, such as a dugout canoe; not limited to Lake Biwa.
古代の人々は丸太船で川を渡ったと考えられている。
It is thought that ancient people crossed rivers using log vessels.
丸子船 is a specific type of wooden transport ship used on Lake Biwa, synonymous with the first sense of 丸太船. 丸太船 can also refer to any log vessel.
Compound of 丸太 (maruta, 'log') and 船/舟 (fune/bune, 'boat'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term literally means 'log boat'.