by Ra Hwak Jin / Kim Sun Min

[ENG] Paper made with Korea's own manufacturing process
 

▲ This photo, provided by National Institute of Forest Science, shows Hanji. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Hanji refers to traditional handmade paper made with Korea’s own manufacturing process.

The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture insists that Hanji was developed in the Three Kingdoms period in terms of the origin of Hanji in Korea, saying that it was also called Gyerimji, Goryeoji, or Joseonji according to the times in China.

Moreover, it suggests that the manufacturing technology of Hanji may have been introduced from China with the introduction of Buddhism around the 4th century. Both the Great Dharani Sutra(estimated in 704), which was found at Seokgatap in Bulguksa, Gyeongju-si, and the Avatamsaka Sutra(estimated in 755) produced in 755 are reported to be materials of Hanji related to Buddhism.

In particular, the manufacturing technology of paper, the name of a production site, and the person who made the paper that are written on the epilogue of the Avatamsaka Sutra are valuable clues that highlight the history of Hanji.

 

▲ This photo, provided by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shows making Hanji at 2021 OECD Global Forum. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

According to Doosan Encyclopedia, unlike Western paper, which uses wood pulp as its main ingredient, Hanji uses Broussonetia kazinoki or Edgeworthia chrysantha. The trees are tied into bundles, set in a pot with water, surrounded by straw bags, heated to the point where the skin peels off, and then you peel and dry them. Soak the dried peel again in water and step on it with your feet, remove only the white inner layer, mix it with lye, boil it for more than 3 hours, and squeeze out water with a compressor. Then, add sticky water that has been crushed and squeezed from Abelmoschus manihot root, mix it well to unweave it evenly, and then filter out paper water with your feet and scoop up.

There are differences in manufacturing processes, such as the type of tree and the method of scooping paper water, from Chinese Seonji and Japanese Washi.

Hanji has a different quality and name depending on its purposes. For example, it’s called Changhoji when applied to the door, Rice paper when used to draw a painting of Four Gentlemen referring to four plants, Taeji when used as New Year’s card or wedding invitation, and Copying paper when used in Genealogy book and Buddhist texts.

Hanji is also used not only as a general paper to write or paint, but also as a material for making costumes. Furthermore, several layers of Hanji were overlapped and varnished with lacquer to make armor and helmet in Joseon Dynasty.

 

 

▲ This photo, provided by Korean Cultural Center in Italia, shows Hanji Fashion Show. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

◇ Jeonju, Wonju, Andong, Mungyeong, Uiryeong, Jongno-gu, Seoul…diverse Hanji attractions

Even today, there are Hanji attractions across the country that inherit and develop Hanji as it is used in various ways.

The representative locations are Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province, Andong and Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province, and Uiryeong in South Gyeongsang Province.
 

▲ This file photo shows Wonju Hanji Festival. (Yonhap)
Jeonju holds the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival every year, and it marks the 26th anniversary this year. In 2022, it will be held for three days from May 5 under the slogan of "Enjoying Hanji and Playing with Hanji.”

 

Moreover, the Jeonju Hanji Fashion Festival is also held annually. 

 

▲ This file photo shows the 22nd Jeonju Hanji Fashion Festival. (Yonhap)
In addition, Jeonju-si will build and open a "traditional Hanji production facility" at Heugseoggol in Seoseohak-dong, where traditional Hanji is produced, experienced, and exhibited, in April.

The facility has a manufacturing space for making traditional Hanji, an experience space that reproduces the entire process of producing Hanji, and a special exhibition room for learning the history of Hanji.

The Hanji Rehabilitation Foundation and parts of the local government are promoting Hanji to win recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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