Inheritance of Bamboo Paper
China, recognized as the birthplace and technological hub of global handmade papermaking, boasts a history of at least 2000 years in this craft. This monumental invention, originating in the Han Dynasty, laid the material and technological foundation for the dissemination of knowledge and the advancement of civilization, significantly propelling the development of ideas and academia. Over an extended period, China's handmade papermaking skills have left a rich legacy across various regions, with production being widely dispersed and often taking the form of small, family-run workshops.
The choice of papermaking materials varies with local conditions, resulting in distinct regional papers. Bamboo paper, crafted from the entire bamboo stem through a series of intricate processes, is one such specialty. The history of Fuyang bamboo paper dates back to the Han Dynasty, with its rise in the Tang Dynasty and its fame in the Song Dynasty, where Yuanshu, Jingzhi, and Chithing papers were hailed as the three great papers, becoming the preferred choice for imperial memorials and examination papers. In 2006, the bamboo papermaking skills of Fuyang were included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists.
Zhu Zhonghua, a craftsman of handmade bamboo paper making, was carrying out the paper-drying process of bamboo paper making in his handmade workshop on November 7, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
Zhu Zhonghua, born in 1968 in Zhujiamen Village, Fuyang City, Zhejiang Province, is a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative and the 13th generation inheritor of the ancient bamboo papermaking techniques of Zhujiamen. He has been committed to handmade papermaking for forty years, learning the craft from his uncle since the age of 15.
Zhu Zhonghua, a craftsman of handmade bamboo paper making, was pushing a cart full of fermented bamboo paper-making materials, preparing to carry out the pulp pressing process. The family-run handicraft workshop he operated was named Yigu Zhai on November 13, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
On the photo wall of the workshop, the main production process from bamboo raw materials to the final paper product was showcased on November 13, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
The bamboo papermaking skills of Fuyang encompass the entire process from a bamboo stalk to a sheet of paper. Zhu Zhonghua is meticulous about the selection of raw materials and the process, summarizing seventy-two critical steps that are interdependent and indispensable, each requiring precise timing. It is this dedication and craftsmanship that have allowed him to produce high-quality bamboo paper.
He has been dedicated to the inheritance and development of Fuyang bamboo paper, collaborating with domestic universities and research institutions to develop paper for the restoration of ancient books and Wujinzhi. In 2016, the paper he developed for ancient book restoration passed tests by Fudan University, meeting ideal standards. The same year, the Handmade Paper Research Institute of the University of Science and Technology of China established a cooperative research and development mechanism with Yiguzhai, which he founded, setting up the "USTC Handmade Paper Research Institute Fuyang Bamboo Paper R&D Base".
In 2021, Yiguzhai participated in the "13th Five-Year Plan" project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the first-grade Yuanshu paper provided by Zhu Zhonghua was identified by experts from the Palace Museum's Ancient Architecture Department as the most authentic replica of the original court silver flower paper in China.
Zhu Zhonghua and his son Zhu Qiyang were stacking the fermented bamboo paper - making materials together, preparing for the pulp pressing process, on November 13, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
Zhu Zhonghua's son, Zhu Qiyang, as the 14th generation inheritor of Fuyang Yiguzhai Yuanshu paper, is also contributing to the inheritance of Fuyang bamboo paper. Born in 1993, he studied civil engineering in university and initially worked in the construction industry without intending to enter the papermaking industry.
A turning point came at the end of 2016 when the Handmade Paper Research Institute of the University of Science and Technology of China chose to establish a Fuyang bamboo paper R&D base at Yiguzhai, focusing on the development and application of historical famous paper crafts and the reference of Chinese bamboo paper crafts.
Zhu Zhonghua realized the need for knowledgeable young people in this traditional industry and invited his recently graduated son to join. This awakened the memory in Zhu Qiyang's blood, and after the Spring Festival in 2017, he resigned and returned to his hometown to wholeheartedly learn the traditional papermaking techniques from his father and the village's master craftsmen.
Zhu Zhonghua was engaged in the paper - making process on November 27, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
At the opening and closing ceremonies of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2019, the Fuyang bamboo paper provided by Yiguzhai became the inner pages of the thread-bound program books on the tables of leaders and guests from various countries, with Zhu Qiyang being one of the project leaders.
Zhu Zhonghua and his son Zhu Qiyang were jointly teaching young students the art of bamboo paper making in the intangible cultural heritage inheritance class at the Daqing Campus of Fuyang Vocational and Technical College in Zhejiang Province on December 2, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
In addition to focusing on papermaking itself, the father and son also pay great attention to the inheritance of skills and talent training. Zhu Qiyang and his father have participated in the teaching work of the Fuyang bamboo papermaking skills inheritance class, having trained more than 100 apprentices, many of whom are under 20 years old.
Despite the Zhu family's efforts and achievements in inheriting Fuyang bamboo paper, they still face many challenges. Changes in modern writing and printing methods, as well as the replacement of living paper by machine-made paper, have severely compressed the market space for handmade paper. Machine-made paper, with its low cost and high output, occupies most of the paper market share, making it difficult for handmade paper to compete in terms of price and output, leading to a gradual shrinking of the market.
Although there are niche high-end demands such as ancient book restoration, the overall market size is limited, making it difficult to achieve large-scale production. Zhu Zhonghua has experienced fluctuations in orders, bringing uncertainty to the inheritance and development.
There is also homogenization within the handmade paper industry, making it difficult to improve paper quality and create differentiated products. Some paper workshops, in pursuit of profit, have begun to directly use convenient industrial pulp, abandoning the traditional complex process of turning bamboo into paper pulp. Statistical data show that the import of industrial pulp is increasing year by year, which will further squeeze the survival space of traditional handmade papermaking.
The sheet-forming workshop in Zhu Zhonghua's bamboo paper mill on November 27, 2024.（PHOTO/YI GUAN）
The traditional handmade papermaking process is complex, the industry is hard and the economic benefits are not prominent, making it difficult to achieve higher quality levels. This leads to a general reluctance among young people to engage in the industry. Zhu Zhonghua has trained about 150 apprentices, but very few can calmly and persistently learn and master the skills. Nowadays, young people tend to choose relatively easier and more lucrative jobs, and the traditional apprenticeship method, which requires a long time to endure hardship and accumulate skills, is not very attractive to them. Moreover, as the older generation of paper craftsmen gets older, Zhu Zhonghua mentioned that the current workers in the workshop are mostly nearly seventy years old, and there is a serious gap in the human resources that can continue to engage in this industry.
At present, the Zhu family focuses on high-end cultural paper for artists and ancient document restoration, basically achieving a balance of supply and demand and maintaining operations.