How to Build a Japanese-Style Partition
- 1). Cut the poplar with a saw to the desired dimensions for each panel of the screen. For the simplest design and construction, cut two long pieces and two short pieces to form a rectangle for each side of the panel. A common size is 28 inches by 75 inches, but you may prefer thinner panels or a taller partition.
- 2). Coat one side of the poplar with black spraypaint to ensure a thin, even coat. Let dry and flip over to paint the opposite side. Assemble the poplar beams into matching sets of rectangular frames for both sides of each panel with a hammer and nails.
- 3). Roll out a length of rice paper for each panel. Measure the paper at least 6 inches longer than the panels. Work on the panels one at a time. For each, dip a sponge into a small container of water and wet the paper on both sides. Roll up the wet paper, taking care not to wrinkle or tear it.
- 4). Set one side of the panels on a flat work surface. Coat one side of the panels with a liquid adhesive using a roller brush. Unroll one piece of wet rice paper and smooth evenly over the frame. Avoid wrinkling the paper or letting it sag. Match the edges by aligning one side of the paper against one long side of the panel. Let the paper dry and trim the excess paper with a utility knife. Repeat the gluing process for all panels.
- 5). Apply another layer of liquid adhesive over the frame, on top of the rice paper. Apply glue only to the areas of paper backed by the wood. Carefully align the second frame for the panel over the first and set in place. The rice paper should be sandwiched between the sides of the frame for each panel.
- 6). Lay out the grid pattern for the shoji screen. Sketch the design on a piece of scrap paper if necessary. Measure intervals for each strip of wood forming the grid pattern. Mark these intervals on the wood, not on the rice paper, using pencil marks on top of masking tape so the pencil shows on the black-painted frame.
- 7). Cut the cedar strips to the necessary length and width for the grid pattern on each panel. Paint all sides of the strips with black spraypaint. Coat one side of the strips with liquid adhesive, then carefully align over panels, using the marks and a tape measure to ensure strips are in a straight line. Set in place, pressing lightly over the rice paper to adhere. Let dry.
- 8). Attach the panels together using hinges. For each panel, use a top and bottom hinge, about 5 inches from the top or bottom of each panel. Secure hinges with wood screws.