14' Japanese Ayubune Fishing Boat (2015)

Traditional Japanese river fishing boat, or ayubune, built by students at Middlebury College under the direction of Douglas Brooks for a Winter Term class “Building the Japanese Boat.” These boats were used for fishing for sweetfish on the Hozu River in Kyoto. The boat is cedar, and fastened like the originals with a combination of blacksmith-made nails and hardwood dovetail keys. The boat was launched in the College swimming pool (it was January) after a traditional Shinto ceremony. Brooks has taught this class four times at Middlebury College and once at Bates College.