Abstract
Korean hand papermaking is a renowned cultural tradition in the Korean peninsula. It is still practiced while scientific analysis of paper itself from a large data set is rare. In this study, a set of more than three hundred Korean handmade papers, collected in a reference collection book Hanji: Korean handmade paper, were chemically investigated, and their property data such as colour, pH, grammage, thickness, tensile strength, folding endurance were statistically analysed in order to determine general features for Korean papers. The influence of different paper sheet formation methods (Heullimtteugi vs Gadumtteugi) were revealed by multivariate data analysis and the chemical profiles of raw materials were studied by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The Korean handmade paper samples display colour gamut in the colour space L* (69.9–95.9), a* [(−3)-3], b* (0–20), most have neutral/alkaline pH values. Paper density, fiber orientation and physical properties are influenced by the sheet formation techniques. For instance, Gadumtteugi tends to produce papers with strong fiber orientation while Heullimtteugi produces papers with more evenly distribution of fibers. In addition, Py-GC/MS analysis results show that paper mulberry fibers contain less intensity lignin monomers and more terpenic compounds in comparison with gampi and mitsumata fibers. This study provides paper analysis from large sample set, statistics reveal that the material preparing and making craft determined the paper structure which reflected in their physical properties. These properties influenced paper performance and applications in art creations as well as relics conservation and restoration. The characterized paper sample database could be used for handmade paper studies in East Asian region. Consequently, this study contributes to a better understanding of contemporary Hanji properties as well as improves knowledge on handmade papers from the Korean peninsula.
Highlights
Crafts of hand papermaking are listed as intangible cultural heritage and handmade papers were commonly used in art creations as well as relics conservation and restoration
This study reports the characterization of Korean handmade papers constituted in a well edited Hanji reference book
It was observed that the difference in material preparing and paper making craft lead to different paper structure which is statistically reflected in their physical properties
Summary
Crafts of hand papermaking are listed as intangible cultural heritage and handmade papers were commonly used in art creations as well as relics conservation and restoration. Different traditions and crafts explored various plant materials for papermaking through history both chronologically and geographically [1,2,3]. Bast fiber from paper mulberry (Broussonetia spp.) is used as the main raw material while other plant fibers were used such as gampi and mitsumata. The process of raw material and making methods influenced Hanji properties and performance [14,15,16]. The sheet formation of Hanji involves two main methods, Heullimtteugi (Oebal) and Gadumtteugi (Ssangbal) which differs in the mould shape and wet formation process [17]. The Gadumtteugi (double mould) usually employs a front-water approach that drives the mould forward and backwards that takes five or six swings until a desired thickness is formed across the mould screen and produced paper with evident fiber orientation [17, 18]
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