The Ertuğrul Disaster of 1890
On the night of September 16, 1890, the Ottoman naval frigate Ertuğrul was sailing back toward the Ottoman Empire after completing a goodwill visit to Japan.
While navigating off the coast of Kii-Oshima, the ship encountered a powerful typhoon. In the severe storm, the Ertuğrul struck a rocky reef known as Funakora near Kashinozaki and sank.
Of the 656 people aboard the ship, 587 lost their lives. It was a devastating disaster, but the tragedy also revealed an extraordinary act of humanity.
Despite the violent storm and dangerous conditions, residents of the local island community immediately began rescue efforts. They succeeded in saving 69 survivors and brought them ashore for treatment and care.
The islanders themselves were not wealthy, yet they shared their limited supplies of food and clothing with the survivors. They also cared for the injured and did everything they could to help the Ottoman sailors recover.
Their generosity made a profound impression in Turkey, thousands of kilometers away, and became one of the foundations of the friendship between Japan and Turkey.
The History of the Memorial
After the disaster, the victims whose bodies were recovered from the sea were reportedly buried on a hill near the Kashinozaki Lighthouse.
In 1891, a gravestone and memorial monument were established with donations from the governor of Wakayama Prefecture and local supporters. A memorial service was also held to honor those who had died.
The site gained renewed significance decades later. In 1929, Emperor Showa visited Kashinozaki and paid his respects at the memorial. News of the visit reached Turkey and deeply moved Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey.
Atatürk decided to support the construction of a new memorial and provided funding for the project. Wakayama Prefecture was responsible for its design and construction, and the present stone monument was completed on June 3, 1937.
Since then, the memorial has stood on the hill at Kashino, overlooking the Kumano Sea and commemorating the lives lost in the disaster.
A Continuing Tradition of Remembrance and Friendship
The memorial remains an important place of remembrance for both Japan and Turkey. Every five years, representatives from the two countries gather at Kashino to hold a major commemorative ceremony.
Government representatives, descendants of those involved, local residents, and other guests attend these ceremonies to honor the victims and reaffirm the friendship between the two nations.
A related memorial also stands in Mersin, Turkey, which has a sister-city relationship with Kushimoto. These connections demonstrate how the story of the Ertuğrul has continued to inspire exchanges between the two countries across the sea.
Discover the Story at the Turkish Memorial Museum
Near the memorial is the Turkish Memorial Museum, where visitors can learn more about the Ertuğrul disaster and the history of Japanese-Turkish relations.
The museum displays a detailed model of the Ertuğrul as well as photographs, recovered objects, and historical materials related to the disaster and the rescue efforts.
The exhibits are arranged in an easy-to-understand manner, allowing visitors to follow the story of the ship, the disaster, the rescue, and the friendship that developed afterward.
From the museum’s viewing area, visitors can also look out toward the waters where the Ertuğrul met its tragic fate. Seeing the actual sea that forms the setting of this historic event can make the story feel much more immediate and personal.
A Friendship Repaid 95 Years Later
The story of the Ertuğrul is remembered not simply as a maritime disaster, but as the beginning of a remarkable relationship between two distant countries.
One of the most famous chapters in this friendship came in 1985, during the Iran-Iraq War. At the time, 215 Japanese citizens were stranded in Tehran as the security situation deteriorated.
With commercial flights unavailable and Japan unable to arrange a suitable evacuation flight in time, the situation became increasingly dangerous. Turkey responded by sending a rescue aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines, allowing all 215 Japanese citizens to escape safely.
Later, Turkish representatives explained the action by saying that they were simply returning the favor that the Japanese people had shown when the Ertuğrul sank.
The rescue, which took place 95 years after the disaster, became a powerful symbol of how kindness and gratitude can survive across generations. The story continues to be remembered as one of the most moving examples of international friendship.
Visit Kashinozaki Lighthouse
The memorial can easily be visited together with the nearby Kashinozaki Lighthouse, one of Japan’s historic stone lighthouses.
The lighthouse was first lit in 1870 and is among the oldest Western-style stone lighthouses in Japan. According to the story passed down about the disaster, survivors of the Ertuğrul were able to make their way toward shore by following the light from the lighthouse on that stormy night.
The surrounding area also offers several other attractions, including Umi-Kongo, Kushimoto Marine Park, and Shionomisaki Lighthouse. Together, these sites make Kii-Oshima an excellent destination for experiencing both the dramatic coastal scenery and the rich history of the southern Kii Peninsula.
Access
Location: Kashino, Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
By public transportation: From JR Kii-Katsuura Line Kushimoto Station, take a Kumano Kotsu bus and get off at Kashino Todai-guchi. The memorial is approximately three minutes on foot from the bus stop.
By taxi: The journey from Kushimoto Station takes approximately 20 minutes.
A Symbol of Friendship to Be Passed Down to Future Generations
The Turkish Warship Ertuğrul Memorial Monument is not simply a monument to a tragic maritime accident. It represents the power of compassion, cooperation, and gratitude that can cross national borders and survive for generations.
The people of Kii-Oshima showed extraordinary kindness to strangers in the midst of a devastating storm. That act of humanity became a lasting bond between Japan and Turkey, and more than a century later, the friendship born from the tragedy continues to be remembered and celebrated.
When visiting Kushimoto, take time to visit the memorial and the nearby Turkish Memorial Museum. Standing above the Kumano Sea and looking toward the waters where the Ertuğrul was lost provides a moving opportunity to reflect on the history shared by Japan and Turkey.
The site offers more than beautiful scenery. It tells a powerful story of human kindness, remembrance, and international friendship—a story that continues to connect people across the sea.