also: とうせん
Chinese ship; ship from China
Historical term for a ship that came from China, especially during the medieval period.
During the Kamakura period, a Chinese ship arrived at Hakata.
Chinese-style ship; ship built in Chinese style
Refers to a ship constructed using Chinese shipbuilding techniques, regardless of origin.
Japanese ship trading with China
Specifically a Japanese ship that engaged in trade with China during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
This picture scroll depicts the structure of a Chinese-style ship in detail.
During the Muromachi period, many Japanese ships engaged in trade with Ming China.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading からふね is the most common for this historical term.
Alternate on'yomi reading, less common but attested in historical contexts.
Compound of 唐 (kara, 'China' or 'foreign') and 船 (fune, 'ship'). The reading からふね is a kun'yomi compound, while とうせん is the on'yomi reading.