5. Yori-toko

[ How did you like the DIY shikkui project? ]

Feedback from a Workshop Participant (Airi Terada)
At first, I couldn’t quite manage the fine details, but I was so happy to see myself gradually getting the hang of it that I became completely absorbed in the process. Also, since we’d been taught about its benefits beforehand, I wasn’t just applying the shikkui—I was able to imagine how it would be used in the future while I worked, which made it really fun. I found myself falling silent as I concentrated on the task, but even then, I was able to chat with the staff about everything from plaster to completely unrelated topics, and it was a truly wonderful experience.

[ What do you think of the painted space? ]

In a word, it’s a space where “the air feels crisp and clean.” Having lived mostly in apartments, I always chose wallpaper with as little formaldehyde as possible, but I had resigned myself to the distinctive new-construction smell.

Shikkui doesn’t have that lingering odor; on the contrary, it creates a space filled with a moist, nostalgic atmosphere where the air feels crisp and clear. Since I did it myself, there are some uneven spots, but that actually makes me grow more attached to it, and I’m rediscovering the unique texture of lime shikkui.

Since this experience, whenever I find an old, charming house, we end up getting excited talking about shikkui. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone considering a DIY shikkui project.

[ What I liked about it~! ]

Everything (lol). I’m not exaggerating—it’s true. Before we started, I had some concerns about the shikkui—like whether it would be a hassle to maintain or what to do if it got dirty—but on the architect’s recommendation, we went with Tagawa Shikkui Labs’ shikkui for almost the entire space. Thanks to this shikkui, I’m noticing light in spaces I hadn’t even realized were there before, and I’m getting excited thinking about what to decorate and what to put there.

We held a DIY workshop with a student group from Fukuoka Prefecture, and representatives from Tagawa Shikkui Labs joined us. Their staff had such in-depth knowledge of shikkui—the more I learned, the more I was drawn to it, and I’ve come to love it even more. I think this kind of experience might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but if I ever get the chance, I’d definitely love to do it again.