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u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-08-08 / ud83dudd04 Rewritten: May 8, 2026
2026 DIY Dad’s Update: Painting the Japanese Room Ceiling
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Fusuma Replacement Paper Kits
Fusuma renewal is the fastest Japanese-room refresh u2014 paper, paste, and 2 hours.
Painting is the most straightforward way to renovate a Japanese room ceiling. Simply coating an old saobuchi or mekashi ceiling white dramatically changes the room’s atmosphere.
Types of Japanese Room Ceilings
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Tatami Repair Materials (Amazon Japan)
Fresh tatami edges signal a well-maintained property u2014 tenants feel it immediately.
- Saobuchi (u7affu7e01u5929u4e95): Thin wooden battens in a grid, boards resting on top
- Mekashi (u76eeu900fu304bu3057u5929u4e95): Boards with deliberate gaps between them
- Juraku (u805au697du5929u4e95): Ceiling plastered with traditional juraku clay material
Ceiling Painting Process
- Thorough masking of walls, floors, and doors
- Apply sealer (primer) to prevent over-absorption
- First topcoat with roller after drying
- Second topcoat after full drying
- Remove masking after drying
Choosing the Right Paint (Ceiling)
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Shoji Screen Paper & Repair Kits
Replace shoji paper every 3u20135 years u2014 it yellows faster than any other surface.
- Water-based paint (silicone or acrylic) u2014 low odor, ideal indoors
- White u2014 standard ceiling choice
- Matte finish u2014 most natural-looking overhead
- Mold-resistant formula u2014 for humid spaces
Why Tackle the Smaller Room First
- Good practice on a smaller scale
- Earlier sense of accomplishment
- Unit available to rent sooner
For Anyone Considering Apartment Investment and Renovation
Cost-effectiveness is everything in apartment renovation. DIY Dad keeps costs dramatically low by doing the work himself.
Marutoku Shop u2014 Renovation Materials & Lumber (Online) u00bb
Back to the Job Site u2014 First Topcoat
Hi, DIY Dad here! Last time the sealer (primer) first coat was finished. I had originally planned to apply a second sealer coat to lock in any wood stain bleed-through u2014 but I cut that corner and jumped straight to the finish coat instead. (And honestly, I don’t have photos of the second sealer coat anyway.) I used Eco Flat 60 for the white topcoat.
u2192 Eco Flat 60 (the yellow can)
For painting tools and materials, see DIY Dad’s Tool & Material Guide Vol.5 u2014 Paint Application (1) Hand Painting.
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
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u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
Also painting the closet (oshiire) interior.
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat
u2192 First coat (this is the attic access hatch cover)
After the first coat, coverage is this patchy. That’s all for today u2014 see you next time!
DIY Renovation Quote Review Manual
How to read, compare, and negotiate contractor quotes. This manual saved me u00a5800,000 on a single renovation project.
ud83cudfe0 More from DIY Father
15 years of landlord experience u00b7 3 apartment buildings u00b7 DIY renovations that saved millions of yen. Browse all articles at diytosan.com
