Based in Vermont (ISA, Douglas Brooks is a world-renowned boatl>uilder, researcher and writer who has, for more than three decades, sought out and gained the trust of Japan's last generation of now very elderly wooden boat building masters who have imparted to him their knowledge and wisdom. This led to Douglas's authorship of Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding (which is the first comprehensive survey of the craft published in any language, available for sale internationally through his website).While he is also focused on promoting an appreciation and continued use of traditional American and English wooden boats, his passion certainly rests with small wooden Japanese water vessels. His first apprenticeship in Japan was in 1996 with the last traditional builder of 'taraibune' - a traditional type of wooden tub boat - and he has done six following apprenticeships with remaining Japanese master craftsmen.As the sole apprentice and confidant of these men, and under their tutelage and close supervision, Douglas has built eight different types of traditional Japanese wooden vessel. In the process he has learnt their age-old traditions and techniques and now spends much time imparting this knowledge to a new generation and worldwide audience.
展开▼
