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Local scripture:

매실나무

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc. © Flora of China

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc. © Plantillustrations

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Prunus mume is a deciduous tree, 4 to 6 meters high. It is a rustic hard pit fruit tree considered as intermediate between plum and apricot. Flowering occurs in early spring, the flowers are white or pink and very fragrant. It prefers hot and humid climate and a sunny exposure. It has a life span of several centuries.

Its cultivation has spread for ornamental purposes throughout the Far East, where it is associated to art and literature. There are about 300 ornamental cultivars. Flowering of Prunus mume is celebrated throughout the Far East.

The fruits are eaten in all kinds of shape in China, Japan and Korea: sauces, syrups, liquors, vinegar, the most common being the "salted plums" which have antiseptic and restorative properties. They also have medicinal properties: the use of mei fruit is mentioned in the Shennong bencao jing or Classic of the Materia Medica of the Heavenly plowman, compilation of pharmacopoeia texts dating from the beginning of our era. They are effective for the treatment of cough, diarrhea, and for the removal of intestinal parasites.

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

The tree and its flower are responsible for many symbols in the Confucianism: values of virtue and perseverance but also transience of life because of a beautiful but ephemeral flowering. In the literature, poetry and the arts mei is the symbol of winter and the arrival of spring and therefore perseverance and hope.
It is grown in orchards in the Yangtze valley or potted as bonsais.

Japan:

Buddhism introduced to Japan in the 6th-7th centuries, brought with it Prunus mume.
Blooms are subject in Japan to hanami which means looking at flowers. Ume were the most popular for hanami during the Nara period (710-794), but they will be overtaken by the cherrytrees since the Heian period (794-1185).

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

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 their 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

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:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

Japan:

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

Korea:

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

姜黄

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

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

Japan:

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

Korea:

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

梅原变种

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

Japan:

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

Korea:

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

Japan:

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

Korea:

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

Japan:

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

Korea:

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

English

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.

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:

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.

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:

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

Language:

English

Botanical classification

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Synonyms:

Armeniaca mume var. mume

Plant growing area

China (Native to Sichuan and Yunnan; cultivated throughout most of China), Japan, Korea, North Laos, Taiwan, North Vietnam. Commonly cultivated in these countries.

Grows on forested slopes, on stream sides, along trails, at an altitude from 1700 to 3100 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

A pink, brown-violet dye, can be obtained from the fruit. The color varies according to the type of mordant: pale pink with alum, purple brown with iron salts.

China:

Japan:

The dye is used for kesa, dress of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Korea:

In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring. It is a popular flower motif for embroidery.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Fruit juice added with lime water or rice vinegar is used.

Korea:

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Quercus serrata Murray © Plantillustrations

Quercus serrata Murray © CFH Nature Museum

Botanical classification

Quercus serrata Murray

Order:

Fagales

Family:

Fagaceae

Synonyms:

Quercus glandulifera Blume

Quercus glandulifera var. brevipetiolata (A. DC.) Nakai

Quercus glandulifera var. stellatopilosa W. H. Zhang

Quercus glandulifera var. tomentosa B. C. Ding & T. B. Chao

Quercus ningqiangensis S. Z. Qu & W. H. Zhang

Quercus serrata Thunb.

Quercus serrata Siebold & Zucc.

Quercus serrata Roxb.

Quercus serrata var. brevipetiolata (A. DC.) Nakai

Quercus serrata var. tomentosa (B. C. Ding & T. B. Chao) Y. C. Hsu & H. Wei Jen

Quercus urticifolia Blume var. brevipetiolata A. DC.

Plant growing area

China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, South Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, South Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu), Korea.

Grows in deciduous forests, below 100-2200 m altitude.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Quercus serrata is a very common deciduous tree, reaching 25 m in height. Flowering occurs in April-May. Flowers, catkins shaped give a fruit, acorn oval shaped. It prefers well exposed areas.

The wood has the same characteristics as other oaks but tends to crack. It is used as an ornamental in parks, for making tools, for charcoal. It is mainly used for its tannins contained in the bark.

For dyeing, acorn cupuless are used.
Dyeing ingredients are tannins which are found in the bark, the acorn cupules and the galls. These tannins are a mixture of polyphenols: hydrolysable tannins (ellagitannins), condensed tannins (procyanidins), hybrid tannins (gallo-tannins and ellagiflavano-tanins).

Japan:

It is a tree used since ancient times in Japan for the production of charcoal, because it has a quite rapid growing.

Always grey was one of the most popular colors in Japan. During the Edo period (1603-1868) the acorn is widely used for dyeing fabrics in grey and black, especially for the costumes of Noh Theater. In the Engishiki (Compendium of laws dated 927 by Fujiwara no Tadahira) there is a mention of a color called Tsurubami (that is to say the acorn color).

Other oak species are also used in Japan for their acorns: Kashiwa (Quercus dentata Thunb.) Konara (Quercus serrata Murray) Shirakashi (Quercu myrsinaefolia Bl.)

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The dye is a decoction of oak acorns. The cupules are boiled and then the extract is filtered before to be used. It can be used in combination with other dyes to change the color.

Japan:

Harvesting takes place when acorns are ripe in late summer. After picking, the acorn cupules are dried. Then they will be grinded into powder and boiled. The decoction is filtered before being used. The paper sheets are soaked into the dye bath and allowed to dry.

The color obtained is a brown tone ranging from beige to brown depending on the number of passes through the bath. It is possible to use various mordants to obtain other colors. Without mordant the color obtain is beige to brown; if the mordant is an ash lye or copper acetate, color is yellow-brow; if mordant is an iron salt, the color varies from gray to black.

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.

Usually three jars of dye are prepared with decreasing concentrations. The paper is dipped in the less concentrated dye jar and oxidation occurs in the air; the paper is then soaked in the little bit more concentrated dye. After oxidation, the sheet is dipped into the third jar with the strongest concentration. The process can be repeated several times to obtain a color more or less intense. The sheet is dried by exposing the surface to air; the color changes by oxidation.

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Fruit

Use for paper making:

Dye

Primary tabs

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Curcuma longa L.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Curcuma longa L.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Quercus serrata Murray

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Primary tabs

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Curcuma longa L.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Curcuma longa L.

Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc.

Quercus serrata Murray

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