The History of Rice Paper

• The birthplace of rice paper
• The secret of rice paper

In the beginning of Tang Dynasty a fine paper was made from straw of rice and bark of wingceltis at Xuancheng. This paper, known as rice paper to the world, was called paper of Xuancheng by the Chinese after its producing location. The first recorded of the paper is found in Paintings through the ages by Zhang Yanyuan, an art critic who was active in the later years of the ninth century. “It is appropriate to store hundred sheets of Xuancheng paper for future copying use after treating them with sizing solution,” he wrote.

However, Tang painters continued to prefer silk, for paper, which was about one foot long, was intended for handwriting. Song craftsmen could make big papers, but it was not until following Yuan period that painters who attempted to break away from conventions turned to paper for its peculiar property with ink. Ming craftsmen made more papers than before because of thriving publication. Marking the final development of Chinese papermaking, Ming craftsman's techniques continued into modern times. Even some particular terms, such as four-footer, survived. Only a brand name in the Yuan and beginning to be painter's favorite in the Ming, Xuancheng paper eventually topped all other makers to be the synonym for good paper in Qing dynasty. Today all similar kinds of paper carry its name although they are produced elsewhere in China.