Clear White Pine, Hand-Made Paper

79" h x 72" w  2001

The folding shoji doors are an adaptation of the traditional techniques of the Japanese sliding door maker, or tategu-shi. The piece represents an opportunity to explore the traditional Japanese techniques of making shoji including hand-cut mortise and tenon joinery and hand-planed surfaces. The grid-work within the frames, called Kumiko, creates a rhythmic, balanced pattern. The Kumiko is joined with very precise fitting half-lap joints, cut with a special hand-made saw called dozuki (Japanese back-saw). All Kumiko pieces are unglued, held together by tension alone. They are hand-cut one at a time with saw and fine Japanese chisels. 

Hand-made Japanese paper is attached to the Kumiko with rice glue and can easily be repaired or replaced. Its translucent quality softens a room while allowing for privacy. Hand-made papers are available in a range of colors, textures, and patterns.