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Curcuma aromatica Salisb. © Flora of China

Botanical classification

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Order:

Zingiberales

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Plant growing area

Curcuma aromatica occurs wild and cultivated mainly in Indo-Malesian region.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang/Tibet, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

It grows between 700-1100m and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of water.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Curcuma aromatica is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant. The foliage dies down in late autumn and the rhizomes remain dormant in winter. During summer monsoon season, the plant grows fast and can reach a height of about 40 cm tall.

Curcuma aromatica is used as a culinary ingredient, dye, cosmetic and herbal medicine with strong antibiotic properties.

The rhizome contains an essential oil and curcumin, a polyphenol, which is the active substance.

Curcumin is a pH indicator: in acidic solutions it turns yellow, whereas in basic solutions it turns red.

Turmeric 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 in yellow 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.

Preparation process for making paper

When harvesting the lateral rhizomes are taken to be cut into pieces and serve for replanting. 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:

The roots are boiled and the extract is filtered before using it for dyeing.

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.

Used part of the plant:

Root

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

Literally cotton paper. Actually it is made from paper mulberry fibers. Mien zhi was made in Yungfeng . When it is teared it looks like cotton threads.

Origin:

China

Botanical name:

Gossypium arboreum L.

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent.

Literally pine paper. Made during the Joseon period (1392-1910). Paper made from a fiber blend of mulberry tree fibers and pine needles or inner bark of pine.

Origin:

Korea

Synonym:

Songyeopji

Botanical name:

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold & Zucc.

Pinus densiflora Sieb. & Zucc.

Sophora japonica L. © Plantillustrations

Botanical classification

Sophora japonica L.

Order:

Fabales

Family:

Fabaceae

Synonyms:

Anagyris chinensis Spreng.

Macrotropis foetida DC.

Ormosia esquirolii H. Lév.

Pongamia chinensis DC.

Robinia mitis Lour.

Sophora angustifoliola Q. Q. Liu & H. Y. Ye

Sophora japonica f. columnaris Schwer.

Sophora japonica f. hybrida Carrière

Sophora japonica f. oligophylla Franch.

Sophora japonica f. pendula Loudon

Sophora japonica var. praecox Schwer.

Sophora japonica var. pubescens (Tausch) Bosse

Sophora japonica f. variegata Nichols

Sophora japonica var. vestita Rehder

Sophora japonica var. violacea Carrière

Sophora mairei H. Lév.

Sophora pubescens Tausch

Sophora sinensis Forrest

Sophora vaniotii H. Lév.

Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott

Plant growing area

Native to Far Eastern Asia. Introduced or cultivated elsewhere. Cultivated throughout China.

China, Japan, Korea.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Sophora japonica is a tree with twisted branches up to 15 to 20m in height. Flowers butterfly shaped have a creamy-white or pale pink color and form fragrant clusters. Flowering occurs in July-August. They produce honey. The fruits are pods containing black seeds. Flowering appears only in trees of more than twenty years old.

It is hardy and can withstand low temperatures in sheltered position. However it thrives best in a mild climate in a sunny exposure. It likes light, drained and slightly calcareous soils.
The tree gets its name because it is traditionally planted near pagodas in Asia. Its use is primarily ornamental, in gardens or as bonsai. It is also used as a timber.

Sophora japonica belongs to the fundamental fifty plants of Chinese medicine. The buds are used in Chinese pharmacopoeia as antihemorrhagic. Flowers were also employed in the manufacture of cosmetics.

The buds of the flower contain a dye, the rutin which is a flavonol. It is used for dyeing textiles and paper.

China:

The use of Sophora japonica in China as yellow dye is very old; textiles dyed with Sophora japonica were unearthed from archaeological excavations dating from the 12th century BC.

The use of the plant is mentioned many times in the literature over the centuries.

Its cultivation is described in the "Qimin Yaoshu" or "Main techniques for the welfare of the people", text on agriculture in ten volumes by Jia Sixie from the mid-6th century.

Its use is also mentioned in the "Bencao shiyi" which is a supplement to "Materia Medica" by Chen Cangqi dating to the 8th century.

The color is commonly used for dyeing and for painting at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is mentioned as a dye for paper in the "Zunsheng bajian" or "Eight orders to follow the meaning of life" by Gao Lian dating to 1591. These colored papers were used to imitate gold instead of metal leaves. These false ingots were used as substitutes for gold during family ceremonies dedicated to the ancestors or during family holidays or funerals.

The preparation of the dye is described in the "Tiangong kaiwu" or "Creations of nature and work of man", encyclopedia written by Song Yingxing dating back to 1634 or 1637.

In fabrics dyeing, color is used as a base to make green in combination with Isatis tinctoria.

Japan:

In the past Japanese used its wood mainly to make roof structure.

In Japan the color is used in textile dyeing and also in print making. This dye was imported from China. The extract of the flower buds, called Kaibei is pale yellow and becomes bright yellow when mixed with sodium ash.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Song Yingxing describes the preparation in the "Tiangong kaiwu" or "Creations of nature and work of man", an encyclopedia (dating to1634 or 1637) that bamboo mats are placed under the trees to collect the buds as they are harvested. They are harvested before they open that is to say in June. They are then boiled and pressed in the form of cakes for trade. They are sold in this form. The blooming flowers are harvested too, though they contain only 20% of dye. They are sprinkled with lime and then dried in the sun to keep them.

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 buds are harvested before they hatch. They are allowed to swell for one day before preparing the dyeing bath in three infusions. For a very good quality dyeing, only the first infusion is used. Dyeing fabrics may be performed in direct contact in the bath.

Paper names

Korea:

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

胭脂

Botanical classification

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Plant growing area

Carthamus tinctorius is apparently native originally to the eastern Mediterranean; since it grows wild in South Europe and around Mediterranean Sea (Turkey), it is known mostly in cultivation today.

China (Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zheijiang).

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Carthamus tinctorius is an annual or biennial herb that can reach one meter in height.

It is cultivated in Asia as a source of vegetable dye and oil seed. Dried flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The coloring substance comes from the dried flowers. The flower contains two coloring substances: red (carthamine, soluble in bases) and yellow (precarthamine, safflomine, tinctormine soluble in water). The yellow dye, water soluble, can be removed by soaking first, the flowers in water and changing the water after pressing flowers, until it becomes clear. Its use is first mentioned in the 2nd century BC in the Far East but it is older in Persia. In China and Japan, the red from safflower was used as a blush.

China:

Using the plant as a dye was introduced by the northwest tribes; it is an important dyestuff under the Han (202 BC - 220 AC.).

It is used for dyeing paper from the end of the Yuan dynasty (1280-1368), beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), in particular for dyeing cards of officials, announcements of happy events cards; in general the paper is made of bamboo and is thick.

Japan:

Using the plant as a dye was imported from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-960).

Safflower is used as textile and paper dye and in Ukiyo-e printing; this use appears around 1715.

Korea:

This dye which is expensive is reserved for royal garments. Both dyes are used in dyeing fabric, the yellow one for silk and wool, the red one for plant fibers.

It is a popular dye for hanji. It is also used in high-blood medication.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Qimin yaoshu treaty or “Main techniques for the welfare of the people” by Jia sixie (535 AD) and Tiangong Kaiwu or “Creations of nature and work of man” by Song Yingxing (1637) describe the preparation process.

The leaves are picked at dawn when they are still fresh. They are already crushed to a paste. This paste is pressed in a bag and rinsed to remove the yellow dye; the operation is very long. (The yellow dye can be stored as a basis for other dyes)

Flowers free of yellow dye are mixed with potash; the mixture is placed on a filter and washed down with water. The filtrate is then mixed with a weak acid (lemon juice, pomegranate juice) to precipitate the coloring material.

The red dye does not require the use of a mordant.

Japan:

Picking takes place during flowering (July-August), when the flower heads are almost faded.

The flowers are washed 4 or 5 times with water to remove unwanted material (yellow dyes) and then pressed and dried in the form of cakes for sale.

To extract the dye, the flowers are placed in contact with an alkaline solution (soda or straw ashes) for one hour and must be filtered to obtain the carthamine extract.

The residue is treated again with lye until exhaustion.

To precipitate carthamine as a powder, a weak acid (made from green plums or acetic acid) is used. Color can be dried for preservation.

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 forming the sheets.

Korea:

Harvesting takes place in the morning when the plants are wet. The whole plants are placed in pots with water to ferment for 4-5 days. The liquid is then filtered prior to use.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

English

Botanical classification

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Plant growing area

Carthamus tinctorius is apparently native originally to the eastern Mediterranean; since it grows wild in South Europe and around Mediterranean Sea (Turkey), it is known mostly in cultivation today.

China (Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zheijiang).

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Carthamus tinctorius is an annual or biennial herb that can reach one meter in height.

It is cultivated in Asia as a source of vegetable dye and oil seed. Dried flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

China:

Using the plant as a dye was introduced by the northwest tribes; it is an important dyestuff under the Han (202 BC - 220 AC.).

Japan:

Using the plant as a dye was imported from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-960).

Safflower is used as textile and paper dye and in Ukiyo-e printing; this use appears around 1715.

Korea:

This dye which is expensive is reserved for royal garments. Both dyes are used in dyeing fabric, the yellow one for silk and wool, the red one for plant fibers.

It is a popular dye for hanji. It is also used in high-blood medication.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The red dye does not require the use of a mordant.

Japan:

Picking takes place during flowering (July-August), when the flower heads are almost faded.

The flowers are washed 4 or 5 times with water to remove unwanted material (yellow dyes) and then pressed and dried in the form of cakes for sale.

To extract the dye, the flowers are placed in contact with an alkaline solution (soda or straw ashes) for one hour and must be filtered to obtain the carthamine extract.

The residue is treated again with lye until exhaustion.

To precipitate carthamine as a powder, a weak acid (made from green plums or acetic acid) is used. Color can be dried for preservation.

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 forming the sheets.

Korea:

Harvesting takes place in the morning when the plants are wet. The whole plants are placed in pots with water to ferment for 4-5 days. The liquid is then filtered prior to use.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

红花

Botanical classification

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Plant growing area

Carthamus tinctorius is apparently native originally to the eastern Mediterranean; since it grows wild in South Europe and around Mediterranean Sea (Turkey), it is known mostly in cultivation today.

China (Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zheijiang).

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Carthamus tinctorius is an annual or biennial herb that can reach one meter in height.

It is cultivated in Asia as a source of vegetable dye and oil seed. Dried flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

China:

Using the plant as a dye was introduced by the northwest tribes; it is an important dyestuff under the Han (202 BC - 220 AC.).

Japan:

Using the plant as a dye was imported from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-960).

Safflower is used as textile and paper dye and in Ukiyo-e printing; this use appears around 1715.

Korea:

This dye which is expensive is reserved for royal garments. Both dyes are used in dyeing fabric, the yellow one for silk and wool, the red one for plant fibers.

It is a popular dye for hanji. It is also used in high-blood medication.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The red dye does not require the use of a mordant.

Japan:

Picking takes place during flowering (July-August), when the flower heads are almost faded.

The flowers are washed 4 or 5 times with water to remove unwanted material (yellow dyes) and then pressed and dried in the form of cakes for sale.

To extract the dye, the flowers are placed in contact with an alkaline solution (soda or straw ashes) for one hour and must be filtered to obtain the carthamine extract.

The residue is treated again with lye until exhaustion.

To precipitate carthamine as a powder, a weak acid (made from green plums or acetic acid) is used. Color can be dried for preservation.

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 forming the sheets.

Korea:

Harvesting takes place in the morning when the plants are wet. The whole plants are placed in pots with water to ferment for 4-5 days. The liquid is then filtered prior to use.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

大紅花

Botanical classification

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Plant growing area

Carthamus tinctorius is apparently native originally to the eastern Mediterranean; since it grows wild in South Europe and around Mediterranean Sea (Turkey), it is known mostly in cultivation today.

China (Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zheijiang).

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Carthamus tinctorius is an annual or biennial herb that can reach one meter in height.

It is cultivated in Asia as a source of vegetable dye and oil seed. Dried flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

China:

Using the plant as a dye was introduced by the northwest tribes; it is an important dyestuff under the Han (202 BC - 220 AC.).

Japan:

Using the plant as a dye was imported from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-960).

Safflower is used as textile and paper dye and in Ukiyo-e printing; this use appears around 1715.

Korea:

This dye which is expensive is reserved for royal garments. Both dyes are used in dyeing fabric, the yellow one for silk and wool, the red one for plant fibers.

It is a popular dye for hanji. It is also used in high-blood medication.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The red dye does not require the use of a mordant.

Japan:

Picking takes place during flowering (July-August), when the flower heads are almost faded.

The flowers are washed 4 or 5 times with water to remove unwanted material (yellow dyes) and then pressed and dried in the form of cakes for sale.

To extract the dye, the flowers are placed in contact with an alkaline solution (soda or straw ashes) for one hour and must be filtered to obtain the carthamine extract.

The residue is treated again with lye until exhaustion.

To precipitate carthamine as a powder, a weak acid (made from green plums or acetic acid) is used. Color can be dried for preservation.

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 forming the sheets.

Korea:

Harvesting takes place in the morning when the plants are wet. The whole plants are placed in pots with water to ferment for 4-5 days. The liquid is then filtered prior to use.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

English

Botanical classification

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Plant growing area

Carthamus tinctorius is apparently native originally to the eastern Mediterranean; since it grows wild in South Europe and around Mediterranean Sea (Turkey), it is known mostly in cultivation today.

China (Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zheijiang).

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Carthamus tinctorius is an annual or biennial herb that can reach one meter in height.

It is cultivated in Asia as a source of vegetable dye and oil seed. Dried flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

China:

Using the plant as a dye was introduced by the northwest tribes; it is an important dyestuff under the Han (202 BC - 220 AC.).

Japan:

Using the plant as a dye was imported from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-960).

Safflower is used as textile and paper dye and in Ukiyo-e printing; this use appears around 1715.

Korea:

This dye which is expensive is reserved for royal garments. Both dyes are used in dyeing fabric, the yellow one for silk and wool, the red one for plant fibers.

It is a popular dye for hanji. It is also used in high-blood medication.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The red dye does not require the use of a mordant.

Japan:

Picking takes place during flowering (July-August), when the flower heads are almost faded.

The flowers are washed 4 or 5 times with water to remove unwanted material (yellow dyes) and then pressed and dried in the form of cakes for sale.

To extract the dye, the flowers are placed in contact with an alkaline solution (soda or straw ashes) for one hour and must be filtered to obtain the carthamine extract.

The residue is treated again with lye until exhaustion.

To precipitate carthamine as a powder, a weak acid (made from green plums or acetic acid) is used. Color can be dried for preservation.

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 forming the sheets.

Korea:

Harvesting takes place in the morning when the plants are wet. The whole plants are placed in pots with water to ferment for 4-5 days. The liquid is then filtered prior to use.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Japanese

Local scripture:

红花

Botanical classification

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Plant growing area

Carthamus tinctorius is apparently native originally to the eastern Mediterranean; since it grows wild in South Europe and around Mediterranean Sea (Turkey), it is known mostly in cultivation today.

China (Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zheijiang).

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Carthamus tinctorius is an annual or biennial herb that can reach one meter in height.

It is cultivated in Asia as a source of vegetable dye and oil seed. Dried flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

China:

Using the plant as a dye was introduced by the northwest tribes; it is an important dyestuff under the Han (202 BC - 220 AC.).

Japan:

Using the plant as a dye was imported from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-960).

Safflower is used as textile and paper dye and in Ukiyo-e printing; this use appears around 1715.

Korea:

This dye which is expensive is reserved for royal garments. Both dyes are used in dyeing fabric, the yellow one for silk and wool, the red one for plant fibers.

It is a popular dye for hanji. It is also used in high-blood medication.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

The red dye does not require the use of a mordant.

Japan:

Picking takes place during flowering (July-August), when the flower heads are almost faded.

The flowers are washed 4 or 5 times with water to remove unwanted material (yellow dyes) and then pressed and dried in the form of cakes for sale.

To extract the dye, the flowers are placed in contact with an alkaline solution (soda or straw ashes) for one hour and must be filtered to obtain the carthamine extract.

The residue is treated again with lye until exhaustion.

To precipitate carthamine as a powder, a weak acid (made from green plums or acetic acid) is used. Color can be dried for preservation.

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 forming the sheets.

Korea:

Harvesting takes place in the morning when the plants are wet. The whole plants are placed in pots with water to ferment for 4-5 days. The liquid is then filtered prior to use.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Flower

Use for paper making:

Dye

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Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Curcuma longa L.

Sophora japonica L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

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Primary tabs

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Curcuma longa L.

Sophora japonica L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Pages