Building the Japanese Teahouse

In this course we will build a modern but traditionally-inspired Japanese teahouse, using its 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 contemporary Japan, in stark contract with Western notions of teaching and learning. A particular emphasis will therefore be placed on the pedagogy of craft training. We will explore how the culture of apprenticeship, the tea ceremony, and other aspects of Buddhist training inform students’ accepted notions of learning. Assigned readings will cover the history and traditions of Japanese carpentry as well as its technical aspects. Students will keep a journal and write a series papers during the term.



Douglas Brooks is a boatbuilder, writer, researcher and teacher who has been studying traditional Japanese boatbuilding since 1996. He is the author of five books and numerous articles, and his work has been honored by the American Craft Council and the Japanese Ministry of Culture.