The Complete Guide to Shoji and Kumiko Patterns, Volumes 1,2,3

With a history dating back nearly a thousand years, shoji—translucent paper-backed sliding doors and screens—are as much a part of Japanese life as sushi and sumo; but their beauty and charm can equally be adapted to any Western home.

In their simplest form, shoji appear to be no more than a few pieces of wood joined together and attached to a frame with some paper stuck on the back. And this is certainly not an inaccurate description. But it’s how those pieces of wood are joined together and the wonderfully elaborate patterns they can make, how they blend into the supporting framework, and how they harmonize with the surrounding décor are what make shoji so captivating.

Mieru kedo, mienai — Seen, but not seen. Shoji fill the room with a gentle soft light, and the play of light and shadows on the shoji paper introduces a fascinating ambiguity that has a very calming effect on the soul.

So how are these pieces of wood (called kumiko) joined together, and what are these patterns? These books goes part of the way to answering that.

It very briefly covers the origins of shoji and how they have developed into their modern form, and the broad classifications of the different types and designs of shoji. It then gives detailed step-by-step instructions on making two different kinds of shoji—the first is a standard simple shoji, and the second is a slightly more complex design with different joinery. The book then gives detailed instructions on the four different methods of making the asa-no-ha, perhaps the best-known and most attractive kumiko pattern in shoji making.

A series of sawing and joinery exercises, detailed diagrams of eleven jigs to help you accurately cut the various angles necessary for the kumiko patterns, and a total of 185 dimensional drawings and photographs help to guide you every step of the way.

Discovering the vast range of patterns possible with shoji and kumiko is indeed a long journey, and this book is the first critical step. It lays the foundations for tackling the increasingly complex and challenging shoji and patterns subsequent books will tackle. I hope you will join me in this journey.

Volume 1 introduced the world of shoji and kumiko patterns.

Volume 2 continues the journey and builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in the first book to tackle slightly more complex shoji and kumiko designs. It features two shoji, and six separate kumiko patterns. With 160 photographs and line and dimensional drawings, the book gives detailed step-by-step instructions for all processes in making the new kumiko patterns—from calculating pattern dimensions to the most efficient sequence for cutting and assembling the kumiko. No special tools are required to make these patterns, and there are no additional jigs other than those explained in the first book to be made.

Volume 3 builds upon the skills gained in Volumes 1 and 2, and includes step-by-step instructions on making one complex shoji with the beautiful kiri (paulownia) and asa-no-ha patterns, and nine additional kumiko patterns.

From calculating pattern dimensions through to listing the most efficient sequence for cutting and assembling the kumiko, everything you need to know to make these attractive and traditional patterns is explained in detail.

The patterns range from the relatively simple to one that is at the upper end of the difficulty scale in the square kumiko design, and the more than 170 photographs and line and dimensional drawings complement and reinforce the instructions in the book.

Some of the new patterns require new jigs, and these are also described in detail.