He began woodworking in 1978.  He spent 6½ years in a traditional full time apprenticeship with a well known teahouse carpenter in the San Francisco Bay Area. This apprenticeship was a concentrated practice with traditional hand tools and learning refined joinery methods.

Dale then spent 2 years as a “journeyman” in traditional residential construction in Nagano-Ken, Japan. He expanded his skills, studying traditional building design and structural layout.

With nearly 9 years of intense study accomplished, Dale returned to the USA founding Takumi Company. He has remained committed to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship completing over 100 projects for private customers, institutions and municipalities. 

More about Dale Brotherton and his work can be found at Takumi Company’s website