Rice paper making techniques

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: rice paper making techniques

Applicant: Jing County, Anhui Province

Project No.: 415

Project No.: VIII - 65

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Anhui Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Jing County, Anhui Province

Protection unit: China Xuan Paper Co., Ltd

Introduction to rice paper making techniques:

Applicant: Jing County, Anhui Province

Papermaking is one of the four great inventions in ancient China. Xuan paper is the most outstanding representative of traditional handmade paper products. It is the first of the four treasures of Wenfang and has a history of more than 1500 years.

Rice paper is produced in Jingxian County, Anhui Province, where the climate is mild and the rainfall is abundant. The special karst mountain is suitable for the growth of Pteroceltis tatarinowii. The alluvial flat principle is suitable for the production of long stem rice. Pteroceltis tatarinowii and rice stem provide high-quality raw materials for rice paper production. There are many rivers in Jingxian County, especially the two tributaries in the upper reaches of Wuxi river. One is light alkaline, suitable for raw material processing; the other is light acidic, suitable for paper-making.

Rice paper is mainly made of Pterocarpus tatarinowii peel and mixed with rice straw pulp in proportion. The whole production process consists of more than 140 processes. There are many kinds of rice paper produced, and continuous innovation in the production process. After 1949, new products such as "zhanger" and "erzhang" were successfully produced.

Rice paper is pure white, fine and dense, with clear texture, soft and tenacious. It is light but not slippery. It absorbs water and moistens ink. It is suitable for calligraphy and painting. It is anti-corrosion and moth proof. Therefore, it has the reputation of "paper longevity for thousands of years" and "king of paper". When Guo Moruo visited Jingxian Xuan paper factory, he wrote an inscription: "Xuan paper is an artistic creation invented by Chinese working people. Without it, Chinese calligraphy and painting can not express the wonderful taste of art." The handmade and paper characteristics of Xuan paper reflect the advantages of traditional techniques, which can not be replaced by mechanism.

Since the Tang Dynasty, Xuan paper has always been loved by the Chinese people. Its production reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty, with the emergence of famous brands such as Wang Liuji and Wang Tonghe, winning awards at home and abroad. At present, the Red Star brand Xuan paper produced by Xuan paper group company is a well-known trademark in China, which is granted the protection of origin by the technical supervision department, and is exported to Japan and other countries.

However, due to the poor economic benefits of the collection and planting of Green Sandalwood peel and long stalk rice, the raw materials are in a serious crisis; at the same time, due to the influence of some manufacturers' bad business practices, the fake and inferior products have damaged the reputation of rice paper, and the market is almost in chaos; the inheritance of rice paper making skills is worrying.