International Center for Folk Culture Studies

Under this project, researchers with knowledge and expertise on traditional wooden boats are working together to carry out a comparative study of the techniques for building and sailing such boats in Japan, China, and other East Asian countries. This study also examines various related aspects in the East Asian region, including folk implements, the transfer of relevant techniques, and the historical background. Regional studies in Japan are centered on the Hokuriku area and Okinawa Prefecture, where traditional methods of assembling ship materials were used long before the introduction of iron nails. In addition, Fuzhou and Quanzhou in Fujian Province were selected for field research in China because wooden boat building techniques employed there are closely associated with those in Okinawa. The Zhoushan Islands in Zhejiang Province with a thriving boat building industry will also be studied. South Korea and Taiwan may also be investigated depending on progress made in these researches.

In addition to reviewing the results of past studies, this project is will focus on the process of building wooden boats and folk implements used by shipbuilders in China. In terms of sailing techniques, the influence of Chinese sculls and rigs on Japan will be identified. This group will collaborate with local universities, research institutes, and museums for these field studies. It will aim at identifying the characteristics of boat building techniques in both Japan and China, in turn clarifying the development of wooden boats in Japan in the East Asian context.

(FY2014-2016)