Using Washi for Frame and Cabinet Remodeling
Using Traditional Japanese Paper with Rice Glue
Washi is Japanese paper traditionally handmade from the inner-bark fibers of three plants. Today, to satisfy the international demand for this green building product, it is also commercially produced. The three fibers are are kozo, gampi and mitsumata.
Washi is Japanese paper traditionally handmade from the inner-bark fibers of three plants. Today, to satisfy the international demand for this green building product, it is also commercially produced. The three fibers are are kozo, gampi and mitsumata.
The Character of Washi
This construction paper resembles cloth more than paper at first glance. One of the desirable characteristics are the diverse fiber patterns presented. No two sheets are the same, much like upholstery-grade leather and snowflakes.
This material allows light to diffuse through it while remaining opaque enough to give plenty of privacy. Most westerners have seen Japanese paper in use in “paper walls”. These are an important aspect of Japanese culture that captivates western imagination – it's a kind of virtual privacy.
Remodeling Candidates for Japanese Paper
Washi may be used anywhere a veneer plywood is used. For example, sliding closet doors work well. Cabinet doors take on an oriental flair when the panel inside the frame is replaced with this decorative paper.
Of course, this product isn't as sturdy as veneer plywood. Obviously, a wild child or a mischievous cat will wreak havoc with the handiwork. What can be done? Education, for one. The fact that many Japanese households are full of Washi for interior partitions speaks volumes.
Installing Japanese Paper
This is a deceptively simple process. The same source that sells rolls of the paper will also carry the rice glue that is used to secure it to the woodwork. Simply lay down a flat bead on the surfaces to be adhered to and apply the paper.
Smooth the paper onto the glue bead and allow it to dry. This is the first step of the installation. When it has dried, it's time to “size” it. Do this by spritzing it with plain water in a spray bottle. Yes, the paper will wilt and slump as it absorbs the water.
But as soon as it dries, it will take up all the slack and conform perfectly to the space it is stretched across.
Other Uses for Washi
Lamp shades make perfect candidates for this paper. The way it diffuses the light makes a great accent in any room. It works equally well on standing lamps and pendant lights.
In either case, the light source will highlight the paper's texture and color. Interior window shutters and plantation shutters are perfect spots for it. Finally, it can be used as a form of marquetry, where different pieces of paper are cut out and adhered to an existing paper panel to create a landscape or geometric design.
A Japanese Home
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