Douglas Brooks

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About me

Occupation Boatbuilder, Writer, Researcher
Location Vergennes, Vermont, United States
Introduction I am a boatbuilder, writer and researcher with a special interest in traditional Japanese boatbuilding. Since 1996 I have apprenticed with nine boatbuilders throughout Japan, building and documenting the designs and construction of over a dozen distinct types of Japanese boats. My research involves working directly with craftsmen in order to document their secrets and techniques. In my view this work is crucial, as Japan's last traditional boatbuilders leave little or no written record of their work and most have no apprentices. This work is chronicled in my latest book, Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding, published in 2015 by Floating World Editions. Signed and inscribed copies are available from my website. Here in the US I build wooden boats for private clients and as education projects for museums and municipalities. I also teach boatbuilding and I am researching the boats and boatbuilding traditions of the Lake Champlain Basin where I live. I write for WoodenBoat magazine, among other publications. Please visit my website: www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Douglas Brooks and douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com 2020.