Saugatuck, MI Pier, Lake Michigan

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Basketball from Japanese Junior High lost in Tsunami found on Alaskan Beach

Thanks to Mrs. Pierce and her kids in Alaska for sharing this amazing tale.

This basketball washed ashore on Alaska's Prince of Wales Island in March. After doing some translating of the characters printed on the ball, researchers discovered it had come from Kesen Junior High in Iwate, Prefecture. Here is a Gigapan Image of what is left of the school site after the tsunami hit last Spring.

Researchers were also able to contact school officials who said the students would love to have the ball returned as it would provide them great encouragement.

Below is a map showing just how far the ball had drifted before being found in Alaska.

If it had taken a completely straight path across the Pacific, it would have traveled around 3900 miles. That is pretty unlikely with changing currents, winds, and storms. The total trip was likely much higher. Whichever brand created the basketball could sure show the quality and durability of their product with this story.



View One basketball's journey in a larger map
A Japanese News station did this story on the ball's journey. Use Google Translate to help make more sense of the report.

24 comments:

  1. That cool that it traveled that its not flat at all

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  2. I think that it is very amazing how a junior high basket ball floated all the way to Alaska what did the basket ball say and are you going to give it back to the junior high kids.

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  3. What did the basket ball say because i saw some writing. I also think it is amazing haw a basket ball can go from japan to alaska.I also want to know if the people from alaska

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  4. Creig alaska i think that this is very cool i didn't think a basketball could travel that far

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  5. that was amazing!!

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  6. It's amazing how that basket ball made it that far!

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  7. That's really cool but i don't get it how is a ball from japan come there and what did the ball say because i could not find out what it said.Who has the ball now and sometime can you post more about this sometime .really cool story thought.

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  8. that's crazy that the japan ball traveled all the way to alaska and still can be dribbled

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  9. I cant belive it went from japanese to asia

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  10. that is cool that basketball is very cool

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  11. Do the junior high kids miss the basket ball a lot or not that much.

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  12. will give back the basket ball

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  13. that ball is cool but i dont thik it is posible.

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  14. I cant belive it went all the way from japanies
    to alaska.

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  15. Oh and one more thing how did it tavle that long.

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  16. I think that it was pretty cool that a basketball could travel from japan straight across the pacific ocean to craig,alaska.Your videos you sent over to us were pretty good.I'm still suprised that a basketball could travel 3,900 miles and its still full of air and bouncey!!!

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  17. HOW DID THE BALL SAIL THERE,WOULD IT JUST SINK

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  18. That's really cool that's a long ways to have a beach ball travel!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  19. I think it's a amazing how a ornage ball made it all the way to Alasaka.

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  20. That's cool I wonder if a speedboat can make it form japan to alaska

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