Xuan Paper inducted onto UNESCO's list of intangible heritages

Perhaps the China Film Archive would have an easier time if the movies were printed on Xuan Paper. That's the kind of paper that originated in ancient China and is ideal for conveying the artistic expression of both Chinese calligraphy and painting. The Xuan Paper that was considered most valuable was from Jing County in Anhui Province. And recently, the traditional craft has been inducted onto UNESCO's list of intangible heritages.

This particular form of paper is soft, fine-textured, and moth resistant. It has a high tensile strength and remarkable longevity for such a product so much so, that it has a reputation for lasting one-thousand years!

The majority of ancient Chinese books and paintings by famous artists that survive until today are well preserved on Xuan Paper.

Xuan Paper was originally only manufactured by the Cao family in Jing County during the Tang Dynasty. Their ancestors were one of the earliest papermakers and major producers in ancient China. Today, they still keep some secrets about paper making.

The material Xuan Paper uses is closely related to the geography of Jing County. The bark of a common species of elm in the area was used as the main material to produce Xuan Paper.

Cao Guanghua, Xuan paper craftsman, said, "The fibre of such bark takes the rhombic shape under the microscope. So when the ink and water are brushed onto the paper, the paper can hold them very tightly."

Rice, along with several other materials such as bamboo and mulberry added in the Song and Yuan dynasties, were also used in the producing of Xuan Paper.

After the founding of new China in 1949, due to the shortage of such wood, craftsmen began to use straw as a replacement. The result turned out to be very reciprocal, and the quality of the paper was greatly improved.

Today, modern technologies are employed in the production of Xuan Paper, such as mechanized steaming and bleaching.

Over the years, Xuan Paper has become an essential part of Chinese culture. As an essential implement of Chinese calligraphy and painting, the paper, along with ink, brush, and inkstone are together known as the Four Treasures of the Study.