Shoji doors are Japanese hinged rice paper screens. To make your own, you need rectangular pieces of wood, bamboo strips, a hand saw, nails, a hammer, rice paper, wood glue, wood lacquer, paint brushes, a hair dryer, screws, a screwdriver and six metal hinges. This project takes about three days.
Continue ReadingSelect four long, thin pieces of wood for the frame. Nail them into a rectangle.
Nail bamboo strips to the back side of the frame. Orient them vertically and nail them to the top and bottom of the frame. Leave 3 inches of space between each strip.
Lay additional bamboo pieces across the vertical strips at intervals of 3 inches. Trim them with a saw so that the ends don't protrude past the frame. Nail them in place.
Repeat the first three steps to build five more latticed wooden panels. Lay them on the ground with the nailed sides facing down. Brush the front and sides of each panel with varnish and dry them overnight.
Place one panel face down and lay a sheet of rice paper over its bamboo lattice. Brush wood glue over the back of the frame and place another panel on top. Repeat with the remaining panels and let the glue dry overnight.
Fill a spray bottle with tepid water. Working with one screen at a time, mist the rice paper and heat it with a hair drier until it's dry and tight. Repeat with the remaining screens.
Attach the hinges and screw the screens together.