Korean Paper

Korean paper or ''hanji'' () refers to traditional handmade paper from Korea. ''Hanji'' is made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry that oozes from the roots of '' Hibiscus manihot''. This substance helps suspend the individual fibers in water.

Traditional ''hanji'' is made in laminated sheets using the ''we bal'' method (a sheet formation technique), which allows for multi-directional grain. The process of creating ''hanji'' also employs ''dochim'', a method of pounding finished sheets to compact fibers and lessen ink bleed.

History

Ancient

Papermaking arrived in Korea not long after its beginnings in China. Its origins in Korea are believed to fall somewhere between the 3rd century and the end of the 6th century. At first, paper was made crudely out of hemp and ramie scraps (). In 1931, a piece of ''hanji'' was found at an archeological dig at a tomb site from the Lelang period (108 BCE–313 CE).

During the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–668 CE), each kingdom used paper to record their official histories. In 610, The Buddhist monk Damjing whom Goguryeo presented to Japan was able to make the production method of paper and ink. The world's oldest surviving wood block print is the Buddhist Dharani Sutra called the Pure Light Dharani Sutra. Listed as Korea's National Treasure No. 126, it was printed onto ''hanji'' c. 704 and is still in good condition, bearing the papermaker's name. Paper crafts were also developed in the Three Kingdoms period, such as kites and other household items, and continued to flourish as ''hanji'' production increased. Silla Kingdom, one of the Three Kingdoms, settled the paper industry deeply into Korean culture, and called it ''gyerimji''.

Goryeo period

''Hanjis golden age peaked in the Goryeo period (918–1392), which saw the rise in quality and use of ''hanji'' in conjunction with printmaking. Paper was used to make money, Buddhist texts, and medical and history books. The government encouraged ''dak'' cultivation and paper production, and dak was planted countrywide in the 12th century. Often called Goryeoji, ''hanji'' became famous in Asia for its strength and luster, and became a heavy trade item to China.

The Goryeo period is famous for two major landmarks in Korean printmaking and paper history. One was the carving of the Tripitaka Koreana onto over 80,000 wooden blocks, which contain no errors and are still extant in their original home at Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple in South Gyeongsang Province. It was carved twice, due to its destruction by Mongol invasions in 1232; the final version was completed in 1251. The second accomplishment was the printing in 1377 of Jikji, a guide for students of Buddhism, and the world's oldest extant book printed using metal movable type. Printed onto ''hanji'', it is housed today in the National Library of France, and displays proof of movable metal type well before Gutenberg's time.

Joseon period

The beginning of the Joseon period (1392–1910) saw continued flourishing of the ''hanji'' industry as paper permeated daily lives of Koreans through books, household items, and popular items such as fans and tobacco pouches. From the start of the Joseon period in an effort to promote austerity, artificial flowers that had been made from wax and silk were replaced by paper versions. Later, paper flowers were also used to replace other versions for Buddhist rites and festivals.

Variations of ''hanji'' became common, such as colored paper, and paper made from mixed fibers including pine bark, rice straw, and bamboo. This came partly from a need to find new materials beyond dak due to the huge demand for books. The government created an administrative agency devoted to paper production, and also supplied troops with paper armor, which was waterproof, a good insulator, and provided protection against arrows and swords. Oiled ''hanji'' was used to make greenhouses c. 1450 because the paper, made of natural materials, could control temperature, humidity, and light effectively. However, the Joseon government pressured Buddhist monks to increase their production of ''hanji'' that they were already making for Buddhist scriptures since the 15th century.

As the final blow to ''hanji'', western methods of paper mass production were introduced in 1884.

After liberation

In the 1970s, the New Village Movement that aimed to modernize Korea rapidly also led to further decimation of the ''hanji'' industry, as it eradicated traditional straw-thatched homes that used ''hanji'' to cover floors, walls, ceilings, windows, and doors. The most recent threat to the Korean paper industry is the rise of inexpensive paper made in China, where labor costs and overhead are significantly lower than in Korea.

As of 2009, twenty-six ''hanji'' mills remain operational in South Korea. They make ''hanji'' for artists, calligraphers, conservators, temples, and laypeople.

An example of modern ''Hanji'' Paper art, a unique alchemy of ancient Asian techniques and modern Western imagery by the YUNS can be see
here

Manufacturing process

Materials

The two materials mainly used when making ''hanji'' is the paper mulberry