Japan's hand-crafted wooden boats, admired for their timeless beauty and precise construction, have a rich history in the island nation. Fearing that the techniques, designs and secrets of this trade might disappear within one or two generations, craftsman and Japanese boat specialist Douglas Brooks embarked on a quest to preserve and document these time-honored traditions.

Brooks, author of the comprehensive survey Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding, joins us to share what he discovered on his journey to fishing villages around Japan, where he interviewed elderly master boat builders and, in six cases, became their last apprentice.

Moderated by Dane Owen, founder and owner of Shibui Japanese Antiques and Furniture. This program was funded, in part, by a generous grant from The Omomuki Foundation. In the 2016-2017 Season, Talks+ Programs at Japan Society were generously sponsored by Delta Air Lines and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). Additional support was provided by Chris A. Wachenheim, the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund, and Hiroko Onoyama.