In this one-week, workshop students will work together under the direction of Douglas Brooks, author, boatbuilder and educator to build one boat, based on a traditional 21-foot Japanese river boat design. The course will provide a thorough introduction to traditional Japanese boatbuilding, introducing students to unique techniques, including fitting planks with handsaws, and edge-fastening planks using both nails and wooden dovetail keys. Other topics include design, sharpening with waterstones, and the adjustment and tuning of Japanese wooden planes.   

The boat design is from the Shinano River, Niigata and is a hard chine, canoe-like craft used in the lagoons and estuaries of the river mouth. They are called, locally, honryousen (“typical fishing boat”). Workshop boats are about twenty-one feet long and suitable for paddling by one or two people. 

The course concludes Saturday, October 7 with a traditional Shinto launching ceremony. 

All the necessary materials and Japanese tools will be provided, but if students own hand tools they may bring a selection to class, particularly chisels. The instructor will also discuss the tenets of Japanese apprenticeship. No prior woodworking experience is necessary, pre-registration required. 

For more information on Douglas Brooks and what he is up to visit:

https://www.instagram.com/douglasbrooksboatbuilding/

http://blog.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com

www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com