Paper Endures for a Thousand Years, Ink Flows with Endless Variations: Exploring the Story of Xuan Paper, a Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage
Exploring the Millennia-Old Legacy of Xuan Paper
Xuan Paper, a gem of humanity's intangible cultural heritage, originates from China and boasts a history of over 1,500 years. More than just an ideal medium for writing and painting, it stands as a symbol of Chinese culture.
The primary materials for Xuan paper come from the bark of the blue sandalwood tree and rice straw grown in the Jingxian region. Through over a hundred meticulous processes, the paper takes its final form. The region’s distinct four seasons and abundant sunlight create the perfect natural conditions for its production.
Renowned for its unique texture and properties, Xuan paper is often called "Paper That Endures for a Thousand Years, Ink That Flows with Endless Variations." Revered as the "King of Paper," it is cherished by scholars and artists alike. Its softness, absorbency, and ink-retaining qualities allow calligraphy and paintings to display a vast array of artistic expressions.
The traditional craftsmanship of Xuan paper is not only an outstanding example of ancient Chinese papermaking but also a testament to the ingenuity and cultural essence of the Chinese people. Carrying profound historical and cultural significance, Xuan paper remains an indispensable part of Chinese heritage.
Xuan Paper: The Timeless Medium of Traditional Chinese Art
Xuan paper is a classic medium for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting, as well as a shining example of China's ancient papermaking craftsmanship.
Originating during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) and produced in Jing County, Xuan paper derives its name from the region’s historical affiliation with Xuanzhou Prefecture. With a history spanning over 1,500 years, it stands as a testament to enduring artistry and culture.
For centuries, generation after generation of Chinese people have wielded brushes on Xuan paper, creating masterpieces of calligraphy and painting. This paper’s unique properties allow it to both guide and resist ink through water, resulting in artworks with vibrant, flowing ink effects.
Creating art on Xuan paper has transcended mere tradition—it has become an integral part of Chinese life, blending functionality and artistry in perfect harmony.
Traditional White Xuan Paper: A Tribute to Legacy and Invention
"Born in secluded mountains, nurtured by winding streams,
Soft and pure, a tribute to Cai Lun’s dreams."
When discussing Xuan paper, one cannot help but mention Cai Lun, the legendary inventor of papermaking in ancient China. According to folklore, following Cai Lun’s death during the first year of the Jian'guang era in the Eastern Han Dynasty, his disciple Kong Dan sought to honor his teacher by creating an exceptional white paper for his portrait.
The story goes that one day, while wandering near a stream in southern Anhui, Kong Dan discovered an ancient blue sandalwood tree lying across the water. Its bark, constantly washed by the flowing stream, had decayed and turned white, revealing long, silky fibers beneath. Overjoyed by this discovery, Kong Dan used the fibers to experiment with papermaking.
After numerous trials, he succeeded in creating a soft, pure, and durable paper. As the paper was primarily distributed through Xuancheng, the regional administrative center, it came to be known as Xuan paper.
This fascinating tale intertwines the ingenuity of Chinese craftsmanship with the deep respect for cultural heritage, exemplifying the timeless beauty of traditional white Xuan paper.
Imitation Ancient Xuan Paper: A Historical Legacy
The renown of Xuan paper can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). Zhang Yanyuan, a prominent art critic of the time, wrote in his Record of Famous Paintings of All Dynasties:
"Art connoisseurs should prepare a hundred sheets of Xuan paper, wax them carefully, and keep them ready for tracing and copying."
This demonstrates that Xuan paper was already being widely used for calligraphy and painting during the Tang Dynasty.
Further evidence of its prominence is found in the Old Book of Tang, which records that in the second year of the Tianbao era (743 CE), regions like Jiangxi, Sichuan, southern Anhui, and eastern Zhejiang produced paper for tribute to the imperial court. Among them, the paper from Xuancheng Prefecture was particularly exquisite.
The historical significance of Xuan paper underscores its vital role in Chinese art and culture, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of traditional craftsmanship.
Chengxin Hall Paper: A Precious Gem of Xuan Paper
During the Southern Tang Dynasty, Emperor Li Yu personally oversaw the production of a premium variety of Xuan paper known as Chengxin Hall Paper. Praised as “soft as an eggshell membrane, firm and pure as jade, delicate, thin, and glossy,” it was regarded as the finest paper of its time.
Chengxin Hall Paper was of unparalleled quality but exceedingly rare, making it a priceless treasure. Liu Chang, the Governor of Yangzhou during the Northern Song Dynasty, was fortunate enough to acquire 100 sheets during his tenure. Overjoyed, he composed a poem:
"Back then, one sheet sold for a hundred gold coins;
In Chengxin Hall, thousands of scrolls reside."
Liu Chang later gifted ten sheets to the famed scholar Ouyang Xiu, who responded with his own poem:
"Even if you have Chengxin Paper at home,
Who would dare write upon it?"
It was only during the drafting of the History of the Song Dynasty that Ouyang Xiu deemed it worthy of use, reflecting the extraordinary reverence for this paper.
By the Ming Dynasty, the calligrapher Dong Qichang expressed similar awe when he acquired Chengxin Hall Paper, remarking, "This paper is too precious to use for writing."
The legacy of Chengxin Hall Paper showcases its esteemed role in Chinese cultural history, a material reserved only for the most significant works and cherished by generations of scholars and artists.
The Qing Dynasty: The Golden Age of Xuan Paper Production
The Qing Dynasty marked the pinnacle of Xuan paper production and development in China. During this era, the quality, variety, and craftsmanship of Xuan paper reached unprecedented heights, solidifying its reputation as an unmatched cultural treasure.
Xuan paper from this period was celebrated for its exceptional characteristics:
- Tough yet absorbent
- Glossy without being slippery
- Bright white and densely textured
- Pure, even grain
- Durable against folding and handling
- Excellent ink absorption
Its unique properties also included remarkable permeability and smoothness, making it the ideal medium for calligraphy and painting.
The Qing Dynasty's advancements in Xuan paper craftsmanship not only enhanced its practical qualities but also elevated its status as an indispensable part of China's artistic and cultural heritage.
Modern Xuan Paper: A Handcrafted Tradition of Ingenuity
Today’s Xuan paper is crafted from a blend of rice straw and the bark of the blue sandalwood tree, a technique that originated during the Qing Dynasty.
Since its inception, the production of Xuan paper has relied entirely on manual craftsmanship. This process, rooted in tradition, is passed down through generations of artisans who preserve its original, ingenious methods through hands-on teaching and oral transmission.
The creation of Xuan paper involves numerous meticulous steps, including soaking, ash covering, steaming, bleaching, pulping, water scooping, sizing, and pressing. After completing these intricate processes, a soft, delicate sheet of pure white Xuan paper is born—ready to serve as a canvas for artistic expression and cultural preservation.
The Two Types of Xuan Paper: Shengxuan and Shuxuan
Xuan paper is primarily divided into two categories: Shengxuan (raw Xuan paper) and Shuxuan (processed Xuan paper), each with unique qualities suited for different artistic styles.
Shengxuan: The Raw Xuan Paper
Shengxuan is highly absorbent, allowing for rich variations in ink tones. It is ideal for techniques such as splashed ink and layered ink, creating artistic effects where water and ink flow and blend seamlessly.
Interestingly, Shengxuan improves with age. Freshly made Shengxuan paper can appear too bright and white, but over time, its color mellows, enhancing its charm for ink and color use. To replicate the effect of aged paper, Shengxuan can be hung in a breezy spot for some time, a practice that produces what is called “feng paper” (wind-treated paper).
Shengxuan is best suited for expressive, freehand painting, where brushwork is less precise, and the focus is on conveying emotions and capturing spirit.
Shuxuan: The Processed Xuan Paper
Shuxuan, on the other hand, is treated with alum and glue, making it firmer and less absorbent than Shengxuan. Its defining characteristic is that ink and colors remain stable without bleeding, even when exposed to water.
This makes Shuxuan perfect for meticulous, fine-line painting, where precision and detail are key. However, Shuxuan does not age well; prolonged storage can cause alum to degrade, leading to ink seepage over time.
A Timeless Description
This poetic description by ancient scholars captures the essence of Xuan paper’s exquisite qualities.
In 2009, the craft of Xuan paper making was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, cementing its status as a cherished cultural treasure.
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