Mokuchi Studio Episode 13: Douglas Brooks
May 24, 2025
Douglas Brooks, a boat builder and author with a passion for traditional Japanese woodworking, shares his fascinating journey of apprenticing with Japanese craft masters. He dives into the unique techniques of tub-boat construction and reflects on the importance of documenting these disappearing crafts. Douglas discusses the contrast between traditional and modern pedagogy in craft teaching, emphasizing silent observation and intense focus. He also highlights the renewed interest among younger Japanese in boat building and the challenges of preserving these valuable skills.
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Barrel Making Invitation Led To New Collaborations
- Douglas Brooks was invited to help build seven-foot soy sauce barrels on Shodoshima and found the event public and collaborative.
- He linked this to his tubboat research and noted the close technical overlap with Japanese cooperage.
Tubboats Are Barrel-Making Variants
- Tubboats share classic Japanese barrel-making techniques with one key difference: the bottom is slightly curved.
- Brooks explains that hoop pressure and seam shaping create the saucer-shaped bottom.
Documentation Fills Cultural Gaps
- Japanese craftsmen often didn't write down techniques and protected secrets, leaving gaps in documentation.
- That scarcity drove Brooks to document practices before they vanish.
