Heritage Week “Layer by Layer”
Heritage Week is an annual event in February that celebrates and showcases local heritage across the province to encourage our communities to visit, share and learn more about the heritage of our own backyards. This year, Heritage Week takes place between February 19 to 25, 2024, with the theme “Layer by Layer”. We invite you to discover the layers of heritage at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site through the stories of the Richmond Boatbuilders building.
Crafting Tradition: Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding
The art of Japanese wooden boatbuilding and its rich history that spans centuries is rooted in a deep connection to nature, craftsmanship, and the sea. At Britannia Shipyards National Historic one can explore the fascinating journey of Japanese boatbuilding in a vibrant west coast community context.
Japanese Canadian Immigration
In the late 1800s to early 1900s, Japanese immigrants settled along the Canada’s west coast finding jobs in the rapidly growing the commercial fishing and canning industry. Some who who had a skilled background in wooden boat craftsmanship brought with them their woodworking tools and techniques. Their boatbuilding techniques and designs were connected to different regions of Japan and then adapted to BC waters.
Japanese Boatbuilding Resources and Tools
Japanese boatbuilding is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail and the use of high-quality materials. The artisans who settled in the west coast cannery and fishing communities, continued this tradition by sourcing locally available wood such as cedar, fir, and other resilient timber that thrives in this region’s climate. The boats are meticulously handcrafted using time-honoured techniques, including joinery, lamination, and planking methods passed down through generations. It is handcrafted using hammers, adzes, and pull saws. A future blog post will showcase some of the Japanese boat building tools used in the the Atagi and Kishi Boatworks, that are now part of the City of Richmond’s Collections.
Legacy of Japanese Boatbuilding
Japanese wooden boatbuilding is a testament to the enduring power of tradition, craftsmanship, and community. The melding of Japanese techniques with the unique influences of the region is evident in the legacy of their handiwork. These legacy of these wooden boats remind us of the stories of invention and determination, craftsmanship, community resiliency and the preservation of culture, tradition and heritage.
For more on this topic, watch this video produced by the Richmond Museum for a video series called Richmond Stories.
Up next for Heritage Week – The Story of the Silver Ann, the last wooden gillnetter built at Richmond Boatbuilders
