Sep 21

Sep 21 Xuan Paper Making

When you think about it, the invention of paper was a very important leap forward indeed. As a newspaper journalist, I would say that - but you only have to contemplate it for a second to realise we could be back in the Dark Ages without paper.

Vellum and clay tablets were okay as far as they went, but you cannot keep endlessly complex records on lumps of clay or reproduce lengthy books on countless bits of animal skin.

A big thank you, then, to the Chinese, who ‘invented’ paper almost 2500 years ago. It is regarded as such an important development that the province of Anhui has invested in brand new £multi-million visitor centre to celebrate the fact. And what a remarkable place the Xuan museum is…

The architectural design incorporates a combination of straight lines and curved slices to create a visual representation of paper so that, upon entering the huge building set deep in the mountains, the visitor feels they are strolling through giant walls of hanging sheets of Xuan’s famous product.

Once inside, you learn that paper-making is known as one of the Four Great Inventions of the ancient Chinese civilisation (along with printing, gunpowder, and the compass). You also learn how they developed paper-making - which was nowhere near as straightforward as it might sound. Xuan paper-making requires 180 different processes before you get to write on a single sheet!

Indeed, it is one of those developments that makes you wonder how the hell they got around to it in the first place. Not only the mincing up and drying of various types of bamboo and rice husk, but the idea that kiwi lime juice would help the multiple layers of wet and sodden paper mash to eventually dry and separate effortlessly into thin and usable sheets.

Paper Trail..

The earliest known paper-making dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), with the traditional credit given to Cai Lun, a court official, around 105 CE. However, evidence suggests that rudimentary forms of paper existed in China as early as the 2nd century BCE.

old photo of the making of the largest single sheet of paper in China

Materials and Process

I was told that early Chinese paper was made from a mixture of natural fibres, including mulberry bark, hemp, rags, and even old fishing nets. The raw materials were soaked, boiled, and pounded into a pulp, then spread thinly onto a bamboo screen to form sheets. The sheets were pressed to remove water and then left to dry in the sun. This simple yet effective process was a considerable improvement over earlier writing surfaces like bamboo strips, silk, and animal bones.

some of the materials used in traditional Chinese paper-making

Impact and Spread

The invention of paper had a profound impact on Chinese society, making written communication more accessible and affordable. However, I was told that the first use of paper was as a filler for the kind of sliding doors, windows and screens that were a feature of early Chinese houses - not a bad idea in the absence of glass.

Building where the paper-makers used to live

Later, it played a crucial role in the spread of literacy, education, and bureaucratic efficiency. Paper-making techniques spread along the Silk Road, reaching the Islamic world by the 8th century and Europe by the 12th century.

I was particularly interested in visiting the Xuan Paper Making Town because I happen to live almost next door to a neighbour who is the UK’s premier producer of hand-made paper for artists - you can see his website at Two Rivers Paper