You have decided to make a shoji screen. Or you want to replace the old, disintegrated paper, or brand new but unattractive plastic material that came with the screen you just bought. You know the translucent paper is either called something like "rice paper" or "sogi paper" but don't even know how to say it or spell it, let alone how to choose it? That is a very common problem. Easy questions first, it's pronounced as "show-jee" and spells "S-H-O-J-I."
People here in the U.S. sometimes call it "rice paper", probably because it sounds "oriental". But, shoji paper really has nothing to do with rice. Originally the ingredients for shoji paper was only kozo (a mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera), "Mitsumata" (a shrub, Edgeworthia papyrifera) and "Gampi" (a shrub, Wikstroemia canescens). Only those paper was considered "washi" (directly translates to "Japanese paper".) After all the technologies came into play, synthetic fibers join the ingredients list. So now, you have to choose from authentic hand-made washi paper to chemically brightened paper, or even Waterproof Acrylic Plate with shoji paper appearance printed on.
There are several things to consider when you choose shoji paper:
1. Traffic/Location
More traffic by the screen, more durable you'll need. Thicker, reinforced or laminated paper maybe needed for high-traffic area, for example, family room. If there are any small children or pets in household, consider tear-proof PVC Laminated paper. On the other hand, Basic paper might be good enough for master bedroom, tearoom, or meditation room. Also if it's a window treatment or a fixed panel that is backed by a wall, not too many things should run through it.
2. Moisture
Shoji paper is not supposed to get wet. No regular paper should be used in such locations as bathroom or by the sink. In places like this, use Waterproof Acrylic Plate. Even PVC Laminated paper can suck moisture in and stains the paper in between PVC coatings. For outdoor, no paper other than Waterproof Plate should be used.
3. Installation/Maintenance
Are you going to replace the paper every few years like Japanese used to? If not, you might want to go for reinforced paper or laminated paper. They are still easy to cut with scissors and attach with tape. Extra Thick Laminated paper or Acrylic Plates are durable and maintenance-free, but it's harder to cut and need specific installation.
4. Thickness
Shoji paper is quite thicker than regular copy paper. Common shoji paper's thickness starts around 0.1mm (1/250 inch). Regular copy paper thickness is somewhere around 1/1000 inch. Refer to the Shoji Paper Thickness and Transparency table below. When the paper is laminated with PVC, the thickness is doubled to 0.2mm. Extra Thick Laminated paper is 0.45mm and it's still bendable. Acrylic Plate is 2mm thick and rigid, at this thickness you'll need a saw to cut.
Shoji Paper Thickness and Transparency Table
Code Name Thickness Transparency (Light permeation)
- Regular copy paper 0.02-0.08 mm -
B132 Basic Professional 0.14 mm 48%
B24 Basic Bamboo Impression 0.10 mm 59%
K131 Kozo Silk 0.12 mm 56%
K141 Kozo Speckle 0.13 mm 49%
C2 Laminated Cloud Dragon 0.2 mm 56%
C120 Laminated Bamboo 0.2 mm 64%
C86 Laminated Maple 0.2 mm 67%
C82 Laminated Tan 0.2 mm 39%
CT2 Laminated Extra Thick 0.45 mm 50%
P2 Waterproof Acrylic Plate 2.0 mm 69%
5. Transparency
See the table above for examples of transparency rates. Not all of our paper is rated, but this gives an idea. The higher the transparency rate, more lights go through. Thickness doesn't match the transparency, as 0.2mm Laminated Tan paper is more opaque (39%) than 0.45mm Laminated Extra Thick (50%). It depends on any combination of thickness, density, weight, color, pattern and texture of the material. You have to hold a piece of paper to the light to really get the feel. The only way to be sure is to ask for a sample.
6. Color
Common shoji paper is often bright white, because that's the most popular in Japan. Chemical is often added to brighten the whiteness of paper. If you want a soft, natural look of authentic washi paper, you might have to look further. Look for paper labeled as "washi", "kozo", "natural", "cream", "tan", etc. in that line of names. Other dark colored paper is not very common on shoji screen since the purpose of shoji is to let lights come in. Colored paper is sometimes used in small sections of shoji panel as an accent, and more often used in arts
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