Korean paper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Korean paper |
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| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 한지 |
| Hanja | 韓紙 |
| Revised Romanization | hanji |
| McCune–Reischauer | hanji |
Hanji (Korean paper) is the Korean traditional paper. Hanji literally means “paper of Korea”. "Han" stands for "Korea," and "ji" means "paper."
Contents
History
Hanji’s history goes back to 4th century. Koreans started making it after papermaking technique came to Korea from China with Buddhism. Korean paper came to be known as the highest quality paper available in East Asia.
During Goryeo period, hanji flourished with the development of the printing technique in Korea. Its best days continued throughout Joseon Dynasty. However, it didn’t last forever. Western’s mass production of paper and Japanese’s oppression on Korean traditional cultures ended golden ages of hanji.
In the 1970s, the New Village Movement that aimed to modernize Korea rapidly also led to further decrease of the hanji industry, as it destroyed traditional straw-thatched homes that used hanji to cover floors, walls, ceilings, windows, and doors. The most recent threat to the Korean paper industry is the rise of inexpensive paper made in China, where labor costs and overhead are significantly lower than in Korea.
As of 2009, twenty-six hanji mills remain operational in South Korea. They make hanji for artists, calligraphers, conservators, temples, and laypeople. Nowadays, Korean paper is considered as a tradition worth preserving and spreading. More people are interested in arts and crafts of hanji, and it has become the part of the tourism for foreigners, too.
Characteristics of Hanji
Durability
Hanji is a very reputable paper among Asians, and it is famous for its durability. The fact that other historical print papers have to be preserved in special containers when Hanji papers can still be displayed in museums proves this fact. The oldest text made of Hanji currently existing in Korea, Muggujungwang, is still well preserved after about 800 years (Seo).
Ventilation/Temperature Control
Hanji is a good ventilator, but it also keeps the temperature of the room warm. Traditional Koreans covered their wooden doors with Hanji because it would cool down in the summer and make them warm during winter (Hanji's History).
Waterproof
In March 2006, there was a lamp festival in Paris, France. Many sizes and colors of lamps were lighted in the Boulogne park. Soon after the festival started, there was a sudden rain, and people panicked. They were worried that all the lamps would turn off. However, lamps made out of traditional Hanji did not turn off. It did not let the rain through, protecting candle lights within, and it portrayed one of the many advantages of Hanji (Seo).
Use of Hanji
Ever since paper was first introduced to the commoners in ancient Koreans, its uses have been adapted into various and unique ways. Hanji was used to help people in the daily lives. They covered their door frame with Hanji and controlled the room temperature. The high social class people recorded various documents on Hanji. This is one of the main reasons why Korea's ancient records are well preserved.
China's Dynasty also only used Hanji to record their emperor's achievements. It was one of the main export products that Korean dynasties used in trading (Seo). Another unique usage of Hanji is that people made armors out of Hanji. Even though Hanji is just a paper, it was very durable and tough. It was waterproof, and didn't rip easily. There is a record in Korea saying that people made armors and suits with Hanji, and called them Jigap (“Jigap”).
Nowadays, Korean paper is used for arts and crafts.
Images for kids
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Changhoji pasted on doors at Changgyeonggung
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A piece of hanji artwork
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Modern Hanji Lamp
See also
In Spanish: Hanji para niños
