Hanji is Korean traditional mulberry paper that boasts natural colors, good ventilation
and excellent durability.
Recently, it's been coming under the spotlight again.
Our News Feature tonight with Lee Jiwon.
Replicas of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, which record some 500 years of royal history,
are on display as part of a special exhibition in Korea's southwestern city of Jeonju.
Although they've only recently been printed and bound, the replicas look just as the originals
might have,... because both are made of hanji, the traditional Korean paper that's gaining
traction as a reliable material for restoration and preservation work.
"To make the replica as similar to the original as possible, we made the hanji in the traditional
way, where no chemicals are added and a multi-directional sheet formation technique is used."
Traditionally made hanji is also said to last more than hundred years longer than the mass-produced
kind, and its durability is attributed to the meticulous production process.
To make hanji, mulberry bark, or dak, is boiled and pounded to make the fibers bond well.
The mixture is then put on a flat bamboo frame and a cross-directional sheet formation method
is used.
The sheets are then air-dried on wooden boards and beaten with a wooden hammer to smooth
out the texture.
"Because of these properties, hanji is not only used to restore and preserve ancient
Korean documents and cultural heritage items,... it's also starting to be used in other countries,
too."
Earlier in the year, hanji was chosen for use in the restoration of a globe given to
Pope John XXIII in the late 1960s.
There is also a handful of Italian cultural items that have used hanji for restoration
and preservation purposes, including the Rossano Gospels and a painting of Baroque artist Pietro
da Cortona.
"Hanji was the most suitable,... because it's not easily torn,... even when wet,... and
it sticks and blends very well with other materials."
And just last week, a ceremony was held in Rome, where the prestigious Central Institute
for the Restoration and Conservation of Archival and Library Heritage recognized hanji for
its value in the restoration of ancient archives and books -- becoming the first foreign institute
to do so.
Until now, the traditional Japanese paper, washi, was the usual choice for preservation
and restoration work at archives around the world.
Japan had promoted the paper long before Korea did,... by holding state-organized forums
and workshops.
And although hanji and washi have similar traits, hanji's unique traits are starting
to gain recognition.
"The fibers used for hanji are longer than the ones used for washi,... giving it greater
durability.
And so, it's better to use hanji when working with round surfaces.
And because hanji is made by crossing the fibers, the paper doesn't curl when dried,...
making it suitable for use behind a thin layer of paper."
For the past few years,...
Korea has been active in promoting hanji and its suitability for restoration and preservation
work by inviting paper experts to local hanji villages and holding workshops abroad.
But hanji experts say more needs to be done, so hanji can be mass produced but with the
same high quality.
"We do not yet have a standard for hanji.
So in many cases, the same company will produce hanji paper of different quality and thickness.
For the world to really recognize and use hanji,... we must get people to trust in it...
by setting standards and providing consistent quality."
Experts add that Korea should do more to boost its hanji industry,... including training
aspiring craftspeople and boosting domestic use of the paper to lift supply and demand.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.