Secrets in the ancient art of Chinese paper making

Dear friends,

Paper was invented by Tsai Lun of the late Han dynasty (first century). In general, Chinese paper can be divided into two major categories: raw (untreated) and mature.

The former is soft and very absorbent, somewhat like blotting paper. The best and most commonly used paper for painting and calligraphy is Hsuan paper, produced in the city of Hsuan city, An-Hwei province.

Actually, only two families have been making this particular type of paper. The method and process of making it have always been kept a secret and handed down in the family from generation to generation.

Some people in other countries have tried to imitate this type of paper, but have never succeeded in turning out anything like it. The Western term "rice paper" generally refers to all papers used in Oriental art. The proper reference should be Hsuan paper.

There are many kinds of Hsuan paper. The very thin type is called Dan Hsuan, or single-layer Hsuan paper. It is extremely porous and absorbent, and on it the ink runs fast and bleeds quickly.

It is hard to control, yet experts love the "sensitivity" of this paper. It was the favorite paper of such masters as Wu Ch'ang-Shuo and Qi Bai-Shi.

The double layer type is called Chia Hsuan. It is equally absorbent, but the water or ink does not run as fast, and therefore, the ink is more easily controlled.

The half-raw and half-treated type is called Chu-Chuei. This is a half mature paper. "Mature" paper has been given a special kind of treatment; usually a certain amount of alum is added to seal somewhat the porous texture of the paper, so that it will be less absorbent.

Yu Ban Hsuan, or jade slab paper, is well-soaked in the alum substance and is consequently slow in reacting to water or ink. It does run or bleed, but very slowly.

Another kind of commercially treated Hsuan paper is Hu Pi Hsuan, or Tiger skin, which is dyed an orange color with a tiger skin-like pattern. It is used for writing couplets for social occasions such as birthdays, the opening of an art show, etc.

Artists who paint in the Kung Pi style prefer Ping Huo Hsuan, which is heavily treated with alum. It is a hard paper and its surface sparkles like snow. Apart from Hsuan paper, which is considered orthodox, other kinds of paper are used.

Among the popular ones are Mao Bian paper, which is made of straw or grass, and Chu paper -- or bamboo paper -- which is chiefly from the bamboo plant. These two are generally half- treated with alum.

Kao-Li paper, or Korean paper, has a heavy hemp mixture and is quite strong, almost like parchment. Although its common uses are for kites or covering windows in lieu of glass (it holds in the heat well), some artists use it occasionally for both writing and painting.

This Kao-Li paper is very similar to the Japanese hemp paper, which is a popular item at art supply stores in Japan. This paper, if treated with alum, will become hard and will not absorb water like Western paper (see illustration).

-- David Kwo