Fusuma doors, or simply Fusuma, are traditional Japanese sliding doors for built-in wardrobes, walk-in closets, and partitions. In contrast to Shoji, Fusuma doors are smooth, without visible bars, and are not translucent or transparent.

Fusuma Paper Varieties

There are thousands of different Fusuma papers. They can be roughly divided into the following categories:

• • Pattern and Ornament Papers
  • Motif Papers
  • Texture and Fiber Papers, Grass Wallpapers

Fusuma are Lightweight Doors

Traditional Fusuma consist of an elaborate handcrafted construction. Many layers of paper are stretched onto a latticework. However, Fusuma paper can also be glued onto a smooth, even surface like wallpaper, for example, on smooth doors or plasterboard walls.

Use of Fusuma Paper

In Europe, Fusuma papers are often used for sliding doors, wardrobe doors, and other sliding doors.

In addition to their original use as door coverings, Fusuma papers are used for a variety of other purposes, as wall wallpaper, as lampshade material, and for screens and partitions. Fusuma papers are also popular in completely different areas, such as a fine printing paper for invitations, business cards, or menus.

Papers in Door Format

Since Fusuma papers are originally intended for door covering, their format is based on the standard size of Japanese doors. Therefore, almost all Fusuma papers are in the format of approx. 95 x 205 cm. Some papers are available in 95 x 240 cm or in 135 x 205 cm, and very few, mostly very simple Fusuma papers are available as rolls, usually on 50 or 100 m roll length.

Processing of Fusuma Paper

Backing Material

Fusuma papers are traditionally stretched in several layers onto wooden frames. It is easier to laminate (wallpaper) them onto panel material or finished doors. These instructions apply to gluing onto smooth, untreated wood panels. Possible substrates are:

• • HDF (high-density fiberboard): double-sided smooth, uncoated (brown) panels
  • MDF (medium-density fiberboard)
  • Lightweight MDF panels
  • Panels with veneer surface: plywood, multiplex

Please note:

• • Highly absorbent backing materials such as lightweight MDF panels and veneered panels must be pre-pasted or primed. Otherwise, the panel may absorb a large part of the paste and the paper will not stick properly.
  • With veneered and dark panels, the wood structure or color of the surface may show through the paper. Either prime such panels with a light color or apply a lighter lining paper, such as simple Shoji paper, as a base before applying the Fusuma paper!

We recommend MDF and plywood as carrier material. If you want to glue Fusuma papers onto other surfaces such as plasterboard or plastered walls: please carry out your own tests!

Adhesive

To glue Fusuma paper onto untreated wood surfaces, we recommend normal cellulose-based wallpaper paste. If you want to glue Fusuma paper onto non-absorbent carrier panels, simple paste will not hold.

Processing

Fusuma papers must always be laminated on both sides of a panel. Panels laminated on one side will warp! First, cut the Fusuma papers slightly larger than the door (2-3 cm) so that you can glue them around the door edge. It is best to start by covering the back of the door. You can also use a simple Fusuma paper without a motif for this, for example from the Cosmos or Hanaakari collection.

If you are using powdered adhesive, mix it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Like simple wallpaper, Fusuma paper swells and expands when it comes into contact with water. It contracts again when it dries. Therefore, it is not the surface to be covered that is coated with adhesive, but the paper. Only the edge of the door is glued.

Let the paper soak for a few minutes and then place it on the door or panel. Start at one end of the door and gently press the paper lightly with your hands as you lower it. Then press and rub the Fusuma paper from the center of the door outwards. Ideally, all creases and air bubbles should disappear.

When rubbing the paper, especially with high-quality Fusuma papers with gold dust, etc., you should place a simple paper underneath. This will prevent damage to the damp Fusuma paper.

When the first side of the door has been covered, you should not wait until the paper is dry (the door could warp in the meantime), but immediately wallpaper the second side. This is done in the same way as the first side. For drying, it is best to stand the door upright or leave it lying on two trestles. It is important that air can get to the door from all sides so that it can dry evenly. If the door dries on one side or is at an angle, it will warp. Do not move the door during the drying period if possible and give it enough time, for example overnight.