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How to Change the Paper on Fusuma (Japanese Sliding Doors)

Fusuma are lightweight papered interior doors in Japanese-style rooms (washitsu). Changing the paper on fusuma is an easy way to personalize a Japanese apartment without causing permanant damage.

1. Buy paper. The size of the doors vary, but generally you will need at least 69 cm of width as well as 180 cm of height. Add a few cm to each measurement to wrap around the sides of the door.
2. Remove the door by lifting it gently as well as pulling it towards you.
3. Lay it down on a flat, clean surface.
4. Using masking tape, label the four sides of the door frame: up, down, left, right.
5. Remove the top as well as bottom sides by pulling slowly but firmly.
6. The left as well as right sides are usually held on with screwheads sunk into grooves. Remove the sides by placing a scrap block of wood on the top (or bottom in some cases), as well as tap gently with a hammer until they come loose.
7. Remove the metal h as well as "cup" by pulling out one of the two small nails on the inside of the cup, lifting the same side out of the door, as well as pulling the cup away from the remaining nail.
8. Lightly spray your paper with a mist of water as well as let sit for a few minutes.
9. Go get a friend to help.
10. Lay your paper down on top of the door, in place.
11. Apply glue to the edges of the paper.
12. Smooth out any air bubbles between the paper as well as the door.
13. Pull gently on opposite edges as well as fold the paper around the door, creating a light crease on the corners.
14. Let the glue dry.
15. Cut a hole for the h as well as "cup" as well as push the excess paper into the hole. Replace the cup as well as its nails
16. Replace the frame pieces.
17. Put the door back in its frame.

• Try using a starch-based glue.
• Washi (Japanese-style paper) is great for papering fusuma, but often come in small sheets. Buy more than you think you'll need, as well as join the pieces together before papering the door

• If you are renting your place, only use glue on the edges so you can remove it before you move out.

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Added: Thu Feb 02 2006

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