Mounting restoration technique (ancient book restoration technique)

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: mounting restoration technique (ancient book restoration technique)

Applicant: National Library of China

Item No.: 919

Project No.: VIII - 136

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Zhongzhi unit

Type: new item

Applicant: National Library of China

Protection unit: National Library of China

A brief introduction to mounting and repairing technique (ancient book repairing technique)

Applicant: National Library of China

The restoration of ancient books is a special skill. In the long process of history, most of the fragile ancient books and records are in a state of great distress and dilapidation after gathering, scattering, changing hands, natural disasters and war. "Repair the old as the old" and turn the decadent into magic is an important link to protect the integrity of ancient books. Therefore, people from all walks of life regard this skill as the "continuation of life soup" of ancient books.

To be engaged in the restoration of ancient books, we should not only be familiar with the forms and versions of books in various dynasties, but also understand the paper, book cover and binding style of various dynasties, and have more skilled skills. To repair an ancient book, we often have to go through more than ten or even dozens of procedures. One move is extremely exquisite, and the requirements for those engaged in the restoration of ancient books are almost harsh.

The National Library of China is a comprehensive research library, a national general library and a National Bibliographic center. Its collection dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty, with a large number of rare ancient books.

The National Library of China has a long history of literature restoration. As early as the period of the capital library, it was equipped with Literature Restoration personnel. In 1949, in order to restore the national treasure collection which was just collected in the Beiping library at that time, with the approval of the military Regulatory Commission at that time, a restoration team composed of eight technicians was established, which was the predecessor of the restoration team of the tianguotu. In 1953, the "book repair group" was formally established. So far, as a full-time business of the library, the restoration of ancient books has embarked on the road of specialization and normalization. In 2001, the name of "book repair group" was changed to "rare book special collection repair group".

The National Library of China (NLC) has made brilliant achievements in literature restoration. The national treasure level precious documents restored include Zhaocheng gold collection, Yongle Dadian, Xixia literature, some Dunhuang posthumous books and rare books of song and Yuan Dynasties, and Fu Yi Quan Shu of Qing Dynasty. It can be said that it is with the unremitting efforts of generations of National Library calligraphers that the elegant demeanor of national treasures can be re displayed in front of the world.

Xiaya hall in Beijing is a century old brand famous for mounting and repairing ancient books, inscriptions, calligraphy and painting. It was opened in the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, and the owner was Ding Mengsong. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, Chuya hall was famous for its mounting skills. At that time, many mounting masters in the capital were all from xueya hall. In 1958, xiaya hall belonged to China Bookstore, where three generations of mounting successors worked hard to repair more than 300000 dilapidated precious ancient books, including rare and unique ones.

At present, the situation of ancient books protection is very serious. At present, more than 10 million ancient books need to be restored in libraries, museums and cultural relic management units across the country. However, according to statistics, there are less than 100 ancient books restoration talents in libraries nationwide. In addition to the serious shortage of talents, there are still some problems, such as low comprehensive quality, low professional title and old age. It is urgent to protect the skills of ancient books restoration.