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Identification

Fibre type
Average fibre lenght	2mm (1-3mm)
Average fibre width	18µm (10-25µm)
Fibre ends	Blunt or pointed.
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Blunt or pointed
Associated cells	Thin walled pitted fibres. Rectangular, oval, rod-like parenchyma cells. Epidermal cells.
Special features	Large vessel elements, unpointed prickles in epidermis. Very faint wall.
Herzberg staining	Blue
Graff 'C' staining	Blue

Botanical classification

Phragmites communis Trin.

Order:

Poales

Family:

Poaceae

Synonyms:

Arundo phragmites L.

Plant growing area

Common reed is found throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world in wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world.

Burma, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

Phragmites communis is a large perennial grass. This common reed grows in clumps in swamps and by riverbanks on waterlogged and low oxygen soils. It has a long slender stalk topped with a silver feather duster and reaches to a height of 2-3 metres. It has a perennial rhizome, allowing it to colonize the riverbanks, sometimes very invasive.

It is used for thatching, making baskets and mats. It is commonly used in the making of blinds in Japan.

Currently it is also used in making a rough paper.

Japan:

Plant is used as a yellow dye for fabrics in Japan; the colorant, the tricine is a flavone.

Korea:

Used in combination with the bark of paper mulberry during the Joseon period (1392-1910) as substitute material for paper mulberry.

Paper names

In Asia and particularly in China, Korea and Japan, the papers are intended for a wide range of use: Papers for calligraphy and art, Papers for ceremonies, Paper as a medium of exchange, money paper, Papers for making clothes, wall hangings and bedding, Papers for architecture, interior design, Papers for crafts of various kinds, for domestic purposes and leisure. The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Use for paper making:

Dye

Fiber

Language:

French

Identification

Fibre type
Average fibre lenght	2mm (1-3mm)
Average fibre width	18µm (10-25µm)
Fibre ends	Blunt or pointed.
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Blunt or pointed
Associated cells	Thin walled pitted fibres. Rectangular, oval, rod-like parenchyma cells. Epidermal cells.
Special features	Large vessel elements, unpointed prickles in epidermis. Very faint wall.
Herzberg staining	Blue
Graff 'C' staining	Blue

Botanical classification

Phragmites communis Trin.

Order:

Poales

Family:

Poaceae

Synonyms:

Arundo phragmites L.

Plant growing area

Common reed is found throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world in wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world.

Burma, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

It is used for thatching, making baskets and mats. It is commonly used in the making of blinds in Japan.

Currently it is also used in making a rough paper.

Japan:

Plant is used as a yellow dye for fabrics in Japan; the colorant, the tricine is a flavone.

Korea:

Used in combination with the bark of paper mulberry during the Joseon period (1392-1910) as substitute material for paper mulberry.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Use for paper making:

Dye

Fiber

Symplocos paniculata Miq. © Flora of China

Symplocos paniculata Miq. © CFH Nature Museum

Botanical classification

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Order:

Ericales

Family:

Symplocaceae

Synonyms:

Cotoneaster coreanus H. Lév.

Myrtus chinensis Lour.

Palura chinensis (Lour.) Koidz.

Palura chinensis var. pilosa Nakai

Palura sinica (Ker Gawl.) Miers

Prunus mairei H. Lév.

Prunus paniculata Thunb.

Symplocos chinensis var. vestita (Hemsl.) Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

Symplocos hunanensis Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos simaoensis Y.Y. Qian

Symplocos sinica Ker Gawl.

Symplocos sinica var. vestita Hemsl.

Plant growing area

Native to northern Burma, South Vietnam and East Asia.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Xizang, Zhejiang), India (Sikkim), Japan, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Vietnam.

Grows on slopes in mixed forests, from 800 to 2500 m altitude.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Symplocos paniculata is a deciduous shrub about 3m high but it can reach 10m high. The flowers are white and fragrant forming clusters. Flowering occurs from April to June The fruits are small blue-violet drupes, ripe in autumn. They are consumed as jams or jellies.

This shrub prefers well-drained and slightly calcareous soils. Sun exposure to partial shade is needed for its growth.

It has been introduced to many countries as an ornamental.

The bark, astringent and tonic is used for the treatment of intestinal disorders, ulcers and sprains.
A yellow dye is extracted from the leaves and bark of the shrub. It is mostly used as a base for red dyes.

The ashes produced by combustion of the plant are also used as mordant because they contain a high concentration of aluminum. Indeed Symplocos are bio-accumulators of aluminum, leaves storing naturally alum. The leaves, dried and ground, can also be directly employed.

Japan:

Symplocos paniculata is mentioned from the Edo period (1603-1868) as a mordant for violet shikon dyeing (Lithospermum erythorizon). The ashes are used as they contain a high amount of aluminum.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Dyeing of paper is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).
To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by the small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Korea:

The papers are dyed in three ways: dyeing of the pulp (Seonyeombeop), dyeing of the sheet by dipping, brushing and spraying (Huyeombeop ), combination of the both methods (Honyeombeop). Then the paper can be hammered.

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Mordant

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl © Flora of China

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl © G. Métailié

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl © K. Yamasaki

Botanical classification

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl

Order:

Laurales

Family:

Lauraceae

Synonyms:

Camphora officinarum Nees

Camphora officinarum var. glaucescens A. Braun

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Nees & Eberm.,

Cinnamomum camphora var. glaucescens (Braun, A.) Meisn.

Cinnamomum camphora var. nominale Hayata

Cinnamomum nominale (Hayata) Hayata

Cinnamomum simondii Lecomte

Cinnamomum taquetii H. Lév.

Laurus camphora L.

Persea camphora (L.) Spreng.

Plant growing area

Introduced or cultivated in many countries around the world.

China (South of Chang Jiang river), Japan (Honshu (West Kanto, Shikoku, Kyushu), Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam.

Cultivated in valleys and on mountain slopes.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

Cinnamomum camphora is an evergreen large tree, up to 25 m tall. Flowering in May to June.

It is the main source of camphor, which is derived from chipped wood of the stems and roots, the branchlets and the leaves.The essential oil extracted from the leaves or by steam distillation of the wood, is used medically as an antiseptic, antispasmodic and immunostimulant.

The wood is used for making furniture.

In addition to camphor, the main constituent, it contains waxes, mucilages, sitosterol and red tannins which are used as dyes. Colour varies from red to brown. When the dye is applied in combination with iron as mordant, the color becomes olive green.

China:

The roots would have insecticidal properties. They were placed in book storage places.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Dyeing of papers is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).

To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by their small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Wood

Branch

Use for paper making:

Dye

Botanical classification

Curcuma longa L.

Order:

Zingiberales

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Synonyms:

Amomum curcuma Jacq.

Curcuma domestica Valeton

Stissera curcuma Raeusch.

Kua domestica (L.) Medik.

Plant growing area

Native origin unknown but probably from India. Cultivated throughout tropical Asia (South-East Asia).

Afghanistan (Hazarajat), China (Cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang/Tibet, Yunnan), India (Punjab), Pakistan.

Plant of forest edges.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Curcuma longa is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant and can reach a height of about 1m tall. It requests a hot and humid tropical climate, rich and well drained soils.

It is used as a spice, cosmetic and dye and also as tonic and diuretic.

The yellow dye contained in the roots is a mixture of curcuminoids, demethoxycurcumin and bis-demethoxycurcumin. The dye content is variable depending on the season and the cultivar.

It assumes protective properties throughout Asia. It has always had a symbolic place in the ceremonies and religious uses in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pacific islands (marriage, birth, initiation, death ...). In particular, it is used for dyeing the dress of the Buddhist monks. It makes a poor fabric dye, as it fades with exposure to sunlight; however, it is commonly used in Indian clothing.

China:

Its use is mentioned in the "Jiangxi sheng dashi" or "Main annals of Jiangxi province" by Wang Zongmu (1523-1591) and Lu Wangmai (1515-1600).

Japan:

The first uses date back to the Heian period (794-1185). The dye was used to dye cotton canvas bags in which were stored the screens because it contains an insecticide. The color is pale yellow. It is used in printing ukiyo-e.

Korea:

It is mainly used in dyeing fabrics.

Preparation process for making paper

When harvesting the lateral rhizomes are taken to be cut into pieces and serve for replanting. The harvest takes place at the end of the first year when the leaves are withered.

The plants are gathered annually. They can be used fresh or prepared as a powder. In that instance, they must be boiled for several hours, then peeled from their skin and dried in the sun or in an oven. After complete drying they will be ground into powder. Fresh, they are crushed into a paste for immediate use.

Mordants used are aluminum (orange-yellow), iron (brown-black).

China:

Harvesting takes place when the leaves wilt, when the plant is about 1 year old.

The rhizomes are boiled and then dried in the sun.

They are ground into powder when they are dry or in paste when they are fresh for immediate use.

Japan:

To extract the dye, the plant is immerged in alcohol.

Dyeing of papers is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).

To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by their small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Usually the pulp is dyed in the vat before making the sheet.

Korea:

Harvesting takes places in autumn. The roots are cut into small pieces and left to swell in water; then they are crushed. Le dye bath is prepared in three infusions of 10 to 20 minutes. After filtering the three infusions are mixed.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Root

Use for paper making:

Dye

Hibiscus manihot L. var. manihot © Flora of China

Hibiscus manihot L. var. manihot © C. Laroque

Botanical classification

Hibiscus manihot L. var. manihot

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Malvaceae

Synonyms:

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. var. manihot

Hibiscus japonicus Miq.

Plant growing area

China: (Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan), India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Philippines, Taiwan, North Thailand.

Grows in grasslands, on streamsides, margins of cultivated fields, from 1000 to 2100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

Hibiscus manihot is a perennial plant with annuals flowers, 1 to 2 m in height that grows rather in temperate zones. It prefers well-drained soil but of various kinds and a sunny exposure. The flower color varies from white to light yellow. Flowering occurs between August and October.
The plant has medicinal properties, it is emmenagogue and sedative for pain. Its flowers and leaves are edible.

The roots contain a mucilage which is a polysaccharide, a copolymer of D-galacturonic acid and L-rhamnose. This viscous material is added to pulp to increase its viscosity and thus delay the settling of fibers in the tank. In addition, the mucilage allows a better dispersion of the long fibers. The solution is unstable and its viscosity decreases with the heat, prolonged exposure to air and mechanical agitation. So, during the work, the papermaker will add mucilage gradually as its viscosity decreases.

In the late 19th century, it seems that the use of the mucilage from the Hibiscus manihot replaced the use of other plants to become the dominant mucilage throughout East Asia.

China:

Hibiscus manihot is used during the South Song dynasty (1127-1279) but the beginning of its use is probably older. The use of Hibiscus manihot is quoted in the stories of "Guixinzashi " or "Miscellaneous news from Guixin street" by Zhou Mi (mid 13th century). Other references show that it is still used as formation aid at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), particularly for the manufacture of paper made with paper mulberry fibers; its use is documented in the "Wulixiaoshi" or "Some Knowledge of Physics" written by Fang Yishi in 1643.

Japan:

The plant grows wild throughout Japan. When it is grown on rich soils it has less coarse roots than the plants grown on poor soils. The leaves and flowers are removed to allow better root growth. The plant is torn from the ground when the leaves turn yellow, the roots are separated from the rest of the plant, bundled and placed in a dry place.

During the warm season the mucilage should be used immediately because it quickly loses its properties by fermenting.

Korea:

The plant was probably imported from China. In the past all plant parts were used to give the mucilage (stem, leaves, roots).

She is quoted in an encyclopedia dated 1850 “Ojuyeonmunjangjeonsango” by Igyujyeong.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The plant is sown in spring and harvest usually takes place in late fall before the frost. The flowers are removed regularly to allow better root growth.

The plant is torn from the ground when the leaves turn yellow. The outer bark is peeled from the root. The root is crushed or coarsely grated. It is then placed in a cloth bag and submerged in a bucket of water. After formation of the mucilage, the bag is pressed or suspended to extract it.

Japan:

Seeds are sown at the same time as mungo beans.

The plant is torn from the ground when the leaves turn yellow, usually in June and it is dried until a later use. Or the roots are recovered to be used immediately, in November December. They can also be kept immersed in creosote.

The outer bark is peeled from the root. The root is crushed or coarsely grated. It is then placed in a cloth bag and submerged in a bucket of water. After formation of the mucilage the bag is pressed or suspended to extract it.

Korea:

The plant is sown in spring and harvest usually takes place in late fall before the frost. The flowers are removed regularly to allow better root growth.

Used part of the plant:

Root

Use for paper making:

Formation aid

Language:

Japanese

Local scripture:

アムールシナノキ

Tilia amurensis Rupr. © CFH Nature Museum

Identification

Fibre type	.....
Average fibre lenght
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining

Botanical classification

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Tiliaceae

Synonyms:

Tilia amurensis var. tricuspidata Liou & Li

Tilia komarovii I.V. Vassil.

Plant growing area

China (Heilongjiang-Manchuria, Jilin, Liaoning), North Korea, Russia (Siberia, Sakhalin), Japan (Hokkaido).

Grows in forests, mixed with spruces at an altitude 1300-1400 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Tilia amurensis is a deciduous tree, with exfoliating bark, growing to 30 m high. The tree adapts to various types of soils but prefers moist, well drained soils and a continental climate. It can grow in semi-shade. Like other linden trees, it can live for several centuries.
The flowers contain essential oils, tannins, gums and vitamin C that make them a popular herbal medicine, as herb tea. Wood as an infusion, as well, has diuretic, antispasmodic, sedative and choleretic properties. The young leaves are edible.
Its soft wood is used in making all kinds of items.
Its inner bark is used to make ropes of high quality. In Korea, it is used for making sandals.

In Japan, Ainus used it to weave their traditional clothing called attus.

Preparation process for making paper

The bark is peeled from the wood and then soaked for one month. The inner bark can then be separated from the outer bark.

Paper names

The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Language:

Korean

Local scripture:

달피나무

Identification

Fibre type	.....
Average fibre lenght
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining

Botanical classification

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Tiliaceae

Synonyms:

Tilia amurensis var. tricuspidata Liou & Li

Tilia komarovii I.V. Vassil.

Plant growing area

China (Heilongjiang-Manchuria, Jilin, Liaoning), North Korea, Russia (Siberia, Sakhalin), Japan (Hokkaido).

Grows in forests, mixed with spruces at an altitude 1300-1400 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

In Japan, Ainus used it to weave their traditional clothing called attus.

Preparation process for making paper

The bark is peeled from the wood and then soaked for one month. The inner bark can then be separated from the outer bark.

Paper names

The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Language:

English

Identification

Fibre type	.....
Average fibre lenght
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining

Botanical classification

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Tiliaceae

Synonyms:

Tilia amurensis var. tricuspidata Liou & Li

Tilia komarovii I.V. Vassil.

Plant growing area

China (Heilongjiang-Manchuria, Jilin, Liaoning), North Korea, Russia (Siberia, Sakhalin), Japan (Hokkaido).

Grows in forests, mixed with spruces at an altitude 1300-1400 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

In Japan, Ainus used it to weave their traditional clothing called attus.

Preparation process for making paper

The bark is peeled from the wood and then soaked for one month. The inner bark can then be separated from the outer bark.

Paper names

The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Language:

Korean

Local scripture:

피나무

Identification

Fibre type	.....
Average fibre lenght
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining

Botanical classification

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Tiliaceae

Synonyms:

Tilia amurensis var. tricuspidata Liou & Li

Tilia komarovii I.V. Vassil.

Plant growing area

China (Heilongjiang-Manchuria, Jilin, Liaoning), North Korea, Russia (Siberia, Sakhalin), Japan (Hokkaido).

Grows in forests, mixed with spruces at an altitude 1300-1400 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

In Japan, Ainus used it to weave their traditional clothing called attus.

Preparation process for making paper

The bark is peeled from the wood and then soaked for one month. The inner bark can then be separated from the outer bark.

Paper names

The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Primary tabs

Phragmites communis Trin.

Phragmites communis Trin.

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl

Curcuma longa L.

Hibiscus manihot L. var. manihot

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

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Primary tabs

Phragmites communis Trin.

Phragmites communis Trin.

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl

Curcuma longa L.

Hibiscus manihot L. var. manihot

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

Tilia amurensis Rupr.

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