Building the Japanese Tea House

In this course we will build the timber frame of a traditional Japanese tea house, using the construction as a backdrop for exploring the technical aspects of Japanese carpentry and the cultural underpinnings of apprentice learning. Traditional craft apprenticeships are still very much the norm in Japan - standing in stark contrast with our Western notions of teaching and learning. Exploring how apprenticeship and tea ceremony reflect aspects of Buddhist training will shine a light on students’ accepted notions of learning. Readings will cover technical aspects of Japanese carpentry and its history and traditions, with particular emphasis on the pedagogy of craft training. Students will keep a journal and write an 8-10 page final paper.