I’ve been pretty idle in terms of modeling Japanese watercraft or updating this site, some might even say I’ve been remiss. But, I was recently contacted by my old mentor Douglas Brooks to build a model of the Shinanogawa boat that has been the subject of his full-size Japanese boatbuilding workshops. So, I’ve been revisiting my wasen modeling supplies, notes, tools and all. I even started thinking again about the wasen model displays I used to set up at the bank in the Japan Center Mall in San Francisco. Last time I displayed there was nearly 7 years ago. I used to display two or three times a year there until Covid put an end to that.

My wasen model display at Union Bank in the Japan Center Mall, San Francisco, in November of 2019

Well, this week, I finally got inspired to contact the bank again, though it’s now US Bank instead of Union Bank. Today, I heard back from the branch manager, and it looks like I’m going to be able to set up the display again. Having been idle on the wasen display front for so long, my display accessories probably need some maintenance and I know that some things need to be redone. So, it may be a little while before I actually set up the display, but it’s coming.

Also, as I mentioned above, I need to review all my wasen construction materials, tools, notes, and accessories in preparation for the new wasen model project for Douglas. My stuff is kind of a mess, as I’ve let the wood materials get pretty disorganized. But, I have enough Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, and Port Orford cedar, which are the main materials I use for my wasen builds.

The new model is to be a Shinano river boat that he uses as the subject of his Japanese boatbuilding workshops. It turns out that the boat is almost identical to the Niigata Honryousen that I modeled for him back in 2019, but with cap rails and and extra beam or two.

One of the Shinanogawa boats built by students of one of Douglas Brooks’ Japanese boatbuilding workshops.

My 2019 Honryousen model

Unfortunately, when he mentioned the size of the new models, it became apparent that I’d screwed up the dimensions of those earlier Honryou models. Very embarrassing(!), but nobody really noticed. Now, it bugs me, so I probably need to make a second model for him to replace the one I made for him before. I don’t have my own model of this boat, so I’ll probably make myself one at the same time, so that’s three I need.

I’m thinking that the new models also might be an opportunity to teach others how to model a traditional Japanese boat. I’m sure I’ll keep a build log here, but I’m thinking I need to turn it into a published article as well. But, if I can find some people interested in an in-person workshop, that would be nice, or a Zoom based workshop, or a combination of both. And, possibly, I can try to make a video. In any case, I have a bit of organizing to do to make any of that happen.

Finally, I’m looking at some of the wasen projects that remain unfinished, and trying to figure out how best to get those completed, probably starting with finishing the Kitamaebune model, since it really only needs a sail and a few small finishing details. And, I’m sure people would like to see the Atakebune completed.

My Kitamaebune model as it has sat for way too long.

In fact, there are yet a couple more opportunities to display some models this Fall, which one or two wasen models would be ideal for. But, more on that later. Watch for updates! Ω