noun
fast rowboat; speedy small boat
Archaic term for a light, fast-moving boat propelled by oars, used historically for transport or racing.
江戸時代、早舟は川での移動に使われた。
In the Edo period, fast rowboats were used for river travel.
noun
fast military ship; swift warship
Historical term for a type of fast military vessel; often compared to 関船 (sekibune), a similar light warship.
See also: 関船
戦国時代の早舟は、関船よりも小型で速かったと言われる。
It is said that fast military ships of the Warring States period were smaller and faster than sekibune.
Variant kanji spelling using 船 instead of 舟; both are used.
Rare single-character kanji form; mainly encountered in historical or literary contexts.
関船 is another type of light warship from the same period, often mentioned alongside 早舟; 早舟 is typically faster and smaller.
Compound of 早 (haya, 'fast') and 舟/船 (fune, 'boat'). The reading はやぶね is a rendaku form of はやふね.