How can I create a Japanese so-gee screen?
Answers:
Rice paper and wood. Buy rice paper at your local craft store. Around here the largest size comes in 4x8' sheets, but you can get it as small as 8 1/2 x 11", so you are going to have to decide how big you want your wood squares to be.
Go to your local home improvement store and determine how big you want the frame to be. For example, if you want the screen sections to be 6' high by 4' wide and the wood width to be 2" wide, purchase enough wood with about 10% extra. Either have them cut the pieces at the store or do it yourself, but miter the corners for a better appearance. You will be making 3 frames, so buy enough wood to do so.
Then buy strips of wood that are 1" wide by 8' long to assemble the "window" panes. Glue the larger outside frame together first. The result should look like a very large rectangle. Now take the 1" strips and glue them vertically on to the frame. Cut off excess at the bottom. Depending on how many window panes you desire, glue more 1" strips horizontally to the vertical strips. Make certain you are using a strong holding wood glue, like Gorilla Glue. Try not to be messy with it because once it dries, it is near impossible to clean up the globs.
Make 3 of these frames with the window panes. Paint both sides of the frames and window panes with black paint. Usually it takes about 2 coats and try to use a black latext, water clean up paint for the best application. However, you can also use spray paint if your painting skills aren't the best.
Allow the wood surfaces to dry thoroughly. Buy hinges at the home improvement store, the short piano, brass hinges will work best.
Now glue the rice paper to the little window panes. Make certain that the seams are well hidden on the wood. Work gluing the rice paper from one side only so that all of you seams are on the back side.
VOILA a Soji screen! Good luck, it is a really fun project that is relatively easy to do yourself!
Other answers:
I assume you mean a Shoji screen? While the materials and paper for building one yourself are commonly available in Japan, I doubt they are in other countries.
Your best bet is to do an online search for "shoji". There are countless places selling them online, and some will even custom make them in special sizes.
I assume you mean a Shoji screen? While the materials and paper for building one yourself are commonly available in Japan, I doubt they are in other countries.
Your best bet is to do an online search for "shoji". There are countless places selling them online, and some will even custom make them in special sizes.