During the Warring States period, the Murakami Kaizoku (Marine Force) was the largest shipping agent in Japan, and they used their influence to protect the sea in the Setouchi region. Their story and historical legacy is recognized as a Japan Heritage Site by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Currently, they are known as both the Murakami Kaizoku and the Murakami Marine Force. In the Setouchi region, particularly by their descendants, they are referred to as the Murakami Marine Force; so where did the term "Murakami Kaizoku" (meaning Murakami Pirates) come from?
In this video, Mr. Takashi Sonoo, a scholar with extensive experience researching and interviewing descendants of the Murakami clan, talks about the history and reasons behind why the Murakami Marine Force also became known as the Murakami Kaizoku.