Shoji Doors of Alaskan Cedar and Douglas Fir
Completing an Econest Home, which also includes the Tokonoma and Mandala ceiling projects, required the crafting of seven shoji doors for five entrances. Two sets of mirrored double doors and three single sliding doors, all of different dimensions presented an exciting challenge in “mass production” while maintaining an adherence to the spirit of traditional, Japanese construction.
Each of the doors are constructed of fine, vertical grain Alaskan Yellow Cedar and feature hip-boards of Douglas Fir. Details are of Cherry and Ebony. All parts of the doors have been hand planed to a mirror finish prior to assembly then completed with authentic Kozo washi paper.
For more details on the fabrication of these doors we have published a notebook entry about them, as well as an entry detailing the special hand plane required for this project.
Detailed Joinery
Typically shoji doors hide thier mortise and tenon joints, however, at the client's request, here we celebrated them. On the visible edge of each door we used a through mortise with cherry wedges to lock them tight.
Hidden Inlay
This gorgeous prayer room is protected by two of the doors built for this project. This room is the most sacred in the house and so the doors needed to be taken a little further. Ebody star and crecent moon adorn the inner edges, only visible briefly when the doors are opened.
