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The king of papers
April 24, 2011, Sunday
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THE unique water quality and mild climate of Jing County in Anhui Province in eastern China are two of the key ingredients in the craft of making xuan paper.
Handmade from the tough bark of the Tara Wing-Celtis or Blue Sandalwood tree and rice straw, xuan paper is known for its strong, smooth surface, its ability to absorb water and moisten ink, and fold repeatedly without breaking. It has been widely used in calligraphy, painting and book printing.
The traditional process passed down orally over generations and still followed today strictly through more than a hundred steps such as steeping, washing, fermenting, bleaching, pulping, sunning and cutting - all of which by hands and lasts more than two years. The production of the 'Paper of Ages' or 'King of Papers' is a major part of the economy in Jing County, where the industry directly or indirectly employs one in nine locals. True mastery of the entire complicated process is won only by a lifetime of dedicated work. Xuan paper has become synonymous with the region, where a score of artisans still keep the craft alive. It was inscribed in 2009 on the representative list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
(UNESCO website)
Handmade from the tough bark of the Tara Wing-Celtis or Blue Sandalwood tree and rice straw, xuan paper is known for its strong, smooth surface, its ability to absorb water and moisten ink, and fold repeatedly without breaking. It has been widely used in calligraphy, painting and book printing.
The traditional process passed down orally over generations and still followed today strictly through more than a hundred steps such as steeping, washing, fermenting, bleaching, pulping, sunning and cutting - all of which by hands and lasts more than two years. The production of the 'Paper of Ages' or 'King of Papers' is a major part of the economy in Jing County, where the industry directly or indirectly employs one in nine locals. True mastery of the entire complicated process is won only by a lifetime of dedicated work. Xuan paper has become synonymous with the region, where a score of artisans still keep the craft alive. It was inscribed in 2009 on the representative list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
(UNESCO website)
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