also: ひしがきかいせん
large Japanese junk (Edo period)
Historical term for a type of large coastal trading vessel used during the Edo period, often associated with the Higaki shipping guild. Compare with 弁財船 and 千石船.
The Higaki kaisen was an important means of transport connecting Osaka and Edo during the Edo period.
Another type of Edo-period coastal trading vessel, often compared with 菱垣廻船.
A general term for large-capacity (1000-koku) cargo ships of the Edo period; 菱垣廻船 is a specific type.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
Alternate reading; less common.
The name derives from the diamond-shaped lattice (菱垣) pattern on the ship's gunwales, combined with 廻船 (kaisen, 'coastal trading vessel').