Gutenberg and the Koreans: The Invention of Paper

The Development of Printing in China, and Its Transmission to the West

Before looking more closely at movable-type printing in Korea, we need to review the development of printing in China. Since early print technologies arose in Asia and traveled from there to the West, it seems a reasonable surmise, in the absence of evidence otherwise, that this process continued as printing developed.¹⁰

bamboo document

A government document, dated equivalent of 95 CE, written on bamboo strips and excavated at Juyan in Gansu province. (British Library)

Paper

The earliest writing in China was usually on wood or bamboo; silk was also used. The invention of paper is attributed to Cai Lun, a Hunan official of the Han dynasty, in the year 105. Archeologists have, however, discovered examples of paper dating from before the common era; there are also literary references to paper predating Cai Lun. Cai Lun’s paper was made from silk rags, but many different fibers (notably bark and hemp) were later used.

Paper technology may have arisen from the process of felting. It seems logical that printing as a means of creating repeating patterns on textiles was a forerunner to printing on paper. “Whether European textile printing was influenced by the Chinese is not clear,” according to Tsien Tsuen-Hsuin, “but some patterns of Chinese origin, borrowed by Persian weavers, are said to have been transmitted to Western Europe, and certainly many Chinese decorative motifs had been successfully copied by European makers of figured fabrics before 1500.”¹¹ Stamps similar to those for printing textiles were also used by the Chinese for seals and religious charms from an early date.

early printed textile

Silk banner decorated by printing, eighth to ninth century, found at cave 17 at Dunhuang. The roundel motif is of Persian origin. (British Museum)

By the Tang dynasty (618–907) papers of the highest quality were being produced and sent to the capital as tribute. The paper industry was an enabling factor in the Chinese style of centralized government, with its bureaucracy making huge demands for paper. Annual tax assessments alone required more than half a million sheets (each about 12 by 18 inches) a year.¹²

Like other print-related technologies, paper making was gradually transmitted from China to other regions. Paper making spread throughout Central Asia by the end of the fourth century and to Korea apparently somewhat later. By the end of the eighth century paper was being produced in Baghdad. Although it reached Europe by the eleventh century, its use was still spotty at the time of Gutenberg, who printed some of his bibles on parchment (an expensive process, requiring the skins of 300 sheep for a single bible).

In later dynastic China Cai Lun was assimilated into the popular pantheon as the patron deity of papermaking.

cai lun

Cai Lun as the patron saint of paper making, ca. 18th century.

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Notes

10 Printing was developed early in Korea and Japan as well as in China—eighth-century printed charms have been found in all three locations—but its story is easiest to trace in China, which is of importance as the main conduit to the West. The complex stories of the development and spread of ink and glue technologies are beyond the scope of this essay. [return]

11 Tsien, 313. [return]

12 Twichett, 12. [return]

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	Did East Asian Printing Traditions Influence the European Renaissance? Thomas Christensen

home search sitemap blog daybook contact	The Development of Printing in China, and Its Transmission to the West Before looking more closely at movable-type printing in Korea, we need to review the development of printing in China. Since early print technologies arose in Asia and traveled from there to the West, it seems a reasonable surmise, in the absence of evidence otherwise, that this process continued as printing developed.¹⁰ A government document, dated equivalent of 95 CE, written on bamboo strips and excavated at Juyan in Gansu province. (British Library) Paper The earliest writing in China was usually on wood or bamboo; silk was also used. The invention of paper is attributed to Cai Lun, a Hunan official of the Han dynasty, in the year 105. Archeologists have, however, discovered examples of paper dating from before the common era; there are also literary references to paper predating Cai Lun. Cai Lun’s paper was made from silk rags, but many different fibers (notably bark and hemp) were later used. Paper technology may have arisen from the process of felting. It seems logical that printing as a means of creating repeating patterns on textiles was a forerunner to printing on paper. “Whether European textile printing was influenced by the Chinese is not clear,” according to Tsien Tsuen-Hsuin, “but some patterns of Chinese origin, borrowed by Persian weavers, are said to have been transmitted to Western Europe, and certainly many Chinese decorative motifs had been successfully copied by European makers of figured fabrics before 1500.”¹¹ Stamps similar to those for printing textiles were also used by the Chinese for seals and religious charms from an early date. Silk banner decorated by printing, eighth to ninth century, found at cave 17 at Dunhuang. The roundel motif is of Persian origin. (British Museum) By the Tang dynasty (618–907) papers of the highest quality were being produced and sent to the capital as tribute. The paper industry was an enabling factor in the Chinese style of centralized government, with its bureaucracy making huge demands for paper. Annual tax assessments alone required more than half a million sheets (each about 12 by 18 inches) a year.¹² Like other print-related technologies, paper making was gradually transmitted from China to other regions. Paper making spread throughout Central Asia by the end of the fourth century and to Korea apparently somewhat later. By the end of the eighth century paper was being produced in Baghdad. Although it reached Europe by the eleventh century, its use was still spotty at the time of Gutenberg, who printed some of his bibles on parchment (an expensive process, requiring the skins of 300 sheep for a single bible). In later dynastic China Cai Lun was assimilated into the popular pantheon as the patron deity of papermaking. Cai Lun as the patron saint of paper making, ca. 18th century. continue ... Notes 10 Printing was developed early in Korea and Japan as well as in China—eighth-century printed charms have been found in all three locations—but its story is easiest to trace in China, which is of importance as the main conduit to the West. The complex stories of the development and spread of ink and glue technologies are beyond the scope of this essay. [return] 11 Tsien, 313. [return] 12 Twichett, 12. [return] continue ...	A print version of this essay will appear in Arts of Asia magazine in 2007 * Introduction Print Technology and Society The Development of Printing in China and Its Transmission to the West >>Paper<< Currency Playing cards Woodblock Books Movable Type Cross-Cultural Currents under the Mongol Empire Cast-Type Printing in Korea's Goryeo Dynasty Selected Reading * *** also of interest: Chinese Jade Taoism and the Arts of China Yi Ching, the Chinese Classic of Changes The Typehead Chronicles How to Publish a Book
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