Creating A Shoji Screen

The Shoji screen remains one of the most popular items in Japanese style décor. Originating during the third century, the screens have folding panels made of wood with translucent rice paper insets. Its original function was to act as a room divider while providing illumination. They gained great popularity when American architect Frank Lloyd Wright discovered them on a trip to Japan, brought these back and started using them in his house plans. They became more popular when architect Walter Gropius began using the Shoji screen as an integral part of his living space design. At first, he employed native Japanese artists but soon these beautiful works of art were imitated by American crafts professionals.

Now, with a little patience and a little guidance, home décor enthusiasts can create their own Shoji screens.

Step 1 – The Frame

Select four rectangular shaped pieces of wood, then nail these together to make a frame approximately seven feet high by five feet wide.

Step 2 – Vertical Pieces

Select smaller, thinner pieces of wood nailing these to the frame every four inches. Attach these to both the top and bottom of the frame.

Step 3 – Horizontal Strips

Nail thin strips of bamboo or some other lightweight wood to the backs of the vertical pieces at about every five inches creating a grid-shaped lattice-like pattern once completed.

Step 4 – Repeat Five Times

Now that you have one screen finished, create five more following steps 1 through 3. Make all screens the same size and then paint each.

Step 5 – Add Rice Paper

Sandwich the rice paper between two screens. Attach these together by gluing them. Repeat this three times creating three screens.

Step 6 – Tighten the Rice Paper

After the glue has thoroughly dried, take the bottle filled with water and lightly spray each screen. While the paper is wet, use the hair dryer blowing warm air on the paper until it tightens.

Step 7 – Hinge the Screens

Attach each completed screen together using hinges. Place one hinge at the top, one in the middle and a final one near the bottom.

Your completed Shoji screen can be painted and decorated in whatever fashion you like. These beautiful Japanese folding screens can change the ambiance of any room creating a peasant and even calming mood. The screens can be placed at open, window areas to dim the lighting or can be used to divide room areas, separating one portion from the other or, “screening” an area from viewing eyes.

Some Shoji screen makers substitute rice paper with a thin plastic imported from Japan that resembles the paper. These substitutes are about two millimeters thick and will last much longer than paper. Also, it is a great idea to use plastic if the screen being made will be used outdoors.