Bath, Maine – Boat builder, writer and researcher Douglas Brooks will discuss Japanese boatbuilding at Maine Maritime Museum, Thursday, May 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
In his presentation, sponsored by the Museum and the Japan America Society of Maine, Brooks will share his experiences in learning the methods of traditional Japanese boat building when he apprenticed with five different boat builders during more than a dozen trips to various regions of Japan over the past 15 years. His presentation will focus on the techniques and design secrets of the craft - techniques that have been passed from master to apprentice with almost no written record.
Brooks specializes in the construction of traditional wooden boats for museums and private clients. From 1985 to 1990, he worked in the Small Boat Shop at the National Maritime Museum in San Francisco and has since built boats at museums in Japan and across the United States.
In addition to building replicas of North American boats, during his research in Japan Brooks studied with five boat builders, building six types of traditional Japanese boats.
From that research, Brooks has published two books, and a third is to be published later this year. His first book, The Tub Boats of Sado Island: A Japanese Craftsman’s Methods, was published in Japan in 2003 and was honored by the Japanese Ministry of Culture. His second book, Sabani; Building The Traditional Okinawan Fishing Boat was published by the Museum of Maritime Science, Tokyo, in 2011.
“We are very excited to work with Maine Maritime Museum to bring Mr. Brooks to Maine,” said JASM President, David Fulenwider. “Building boats and going to sea are so integral to both Maine and Japanese cultures, and yet the tools, techniques, and designs used in Japan are often completely different than ours.”
The event is open to the public. Admission fees are $5 for JASM and Maine Maritime Museum and $7 for nonmembers.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mainemaritimemuseum.org or call (207) 443-1316, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Douglas Brooks
Douglas Brooks attended the Williams Mystic Seaport Program in American Maritime History in 1980. He is a 1982 graduate of Trinity College (B.A. Philosophy) and a 2002 graduate of the Middlebury College Language School (Japanese). He lives in Vergennes, Vermont. Photos of the boats he has built and additional information about his research on traditional Japanese boatbuilding is available at www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com.
Maine Maritime Museum
Maine Maritime Museum is an independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of Maine’s maritime heritage through gallery exhibits, an historic shipyard, educational programs, a research Library, tours, narrated excursions along area waterways and other programming. Founded in 1962, the Museum is nestled along Kennebec River in Bath, “The City of Ships” and provides a unique experience to visitors of all ages from around the world. Visit www.mainemaritimemuseum.org for more information.
Japan America Society of Maine
Founded in 1982, the Japan America Society of Maine is an association of Maine residents actively engaged in bringing the people of two diverse cultures closer together in understanding, appreciation, and cooperation. It is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization, devoted to cultural, educational, business and public affairs programs and to discussions, exchanges and studies of vital interest in both countries. Through ongoing interactions between the citizens of two of the world's leading democracies, the Society strives to provide opportunities for all to learn from the other's experiences and accomplishments. For additional information, visit www.maine-japan.org.
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