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Invention and Diffusion of Paper

Paper was made by Cai Lun(蔡倫) of Later Han in 105. However, 2nd Century BC paper was excavated from Fangmatan(放馬灘) in Gansu Province. Therefore, rather than saying that the first person to make the paper is Cai Lun, it would be better to understand that he improved the original manufacturing method and made good quality paper.

Before the invention of paper, the letters were written on the papyrus of Egypt, the clay plates of Mesopotamia, bamboo or wood of China, and parchment of Greek. However, it was not easy to store and heavy because of poor durability. So it was not appropriate to record a large amount of writing. The way China manufactures paper was transmitted to many East Asian countries including Korea and Japan, and spread to Europe through the Islamic world in the 13th century.

Paper Introduced into the Korean peninsula and Developed

The period when paper was introduced into the Korean Peninsula is estimated to be the Three Kingdoms period. It was introduced first in Baekje at the end of the 4th century, and in 610 Damjing(曇徵) of Goguryeo informed Japan how to make paper. In the 6th century, international students and monks of Silla who went to Tang actively exchanged with Tang, so manufacturing techniques related to paper, ink, brush, etc. were passed. The paper of Silla is called 'Gyerimji(鷄林紙)' and was exported to Tang. The white and shiny Silla paper made from fibers extracted from the bark of the mulberry is famous for its high quality that endures 1,000 years. Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong(無垢淨光大陁羅尼經), which was discovered in Seogga Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, is regarded as the world's best woodblock print. In particular, the technique of making paper from bark of the mulberry has developed. So Silla set up branch offices nationwide, and encouraged the cultivation of mulberry, a raw material for paper.

In the Goryeo period, the prosperity of Buddhism and the invention of metal type led to a considerable number of paper manufacturing and publications.

The Highest Quality Goryeo Paper

Goryeo paper is different from Chinese paper, which mainly manufactures hemp paper with rough surface. In addition, the quality of paper was greatly improved by developing a method of tapping the surface of paper. The paper of Koryo was well received in the Song Dynasty of China because the surface was dense and glossy and was written cleanly. The surface of the paper was white, hard, mirror-clear, and cotton-soft, so it was also called 'white paper', 'mirror paper', and 'silk paper'.

Goryeo and Song have recruited talented people through state explanation. As the status of civil officer rose, printing skills for making books developed, and handcrafts on paper, ink, brush, and inkstone became active. At that time, the Song Dynasty was weaker in military power than Liao, Jin, and Yuan, but developed culturally. And they maintained friendly relations with Goryeo due to military clashes with the northern countries. In addition, 'Goryeojeong' or 'Goryeokwan' were established for the envoys and merchants of Goryeo. As such, Goryeo and Song actively interacted. Goryeo exported paper, ink, gold, silver, lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, figured mat, ginseng, etc. to Song, and imported books, silk, medicines and ceramics. In particular, the Goryeo paper was white, durable, and smooth, so it recorded the history of the royal family of Song, or was used by prominent painters such as Su Shi(蘇軾) and Huang Gongwang(黃公望).

Hanji in the Spotlight

In modern times, the status of traditional Korean paper ‘Hanji’ has been lowered due to the paper made of pulp as the main material or drawing paper for painting and calligraphy works. Hanji succeeded the Goryeo paper. Recently, this Hanji has attracted attention in Europe as well as in Korea. Istituto Centrale per il Restauro e la Conservazione del Patrimonio Archivistico e Librario(ICRCPAL, Italy) restored its cultural assets using the tough, long-preserved characteristic Hanji. The Louvre Museum(France) also visited Korea to use Hanji to restore cultural assets. Material civilization is constantly circulating. I hope that Hanji will be more noticed in the global village in the future.