Even The History Of Paper Production Skills To Protect Research

With globalization and the accelerating evolution in science and information technology, the traditional paper-making crafts, which are significant Intangible Cultural Heritage in China, start losing their living space in modern society rapidly. The Lianshi Paper, featuring in white, soft and thin qualities that meet the needs for traditional book printing, inscription rubbing, Chinese calligraphy and restoration of ancient paper works, stands for the capstone that Chinese hand papermaking craft had ever reached in history. Being a traditional handicraft of high value in humanities study and science research, the Making Craft of Lianshi Paper has been listed as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage; however, this craft is now in great danger of being lost, owing to its extinction for over 19 years in most habitats.In order to prevent this handicraft heritage from dying out, as well as to research the making processes of this high-class bamboo paper and to develop a high quality material for restoration of ancient paper works, a research has been done by studying historical literature, so does the ethnographic fieldwork in Jiangxi and Fujian province in China. Afterward, 3 kinds of Lianshi Papers made in different ways within 26 years, in addition with Maobian Paper, Yuanshu Paper and Jinpi Xuan Paper were tested in an accelerated ageing chamber(105℃) for 40 days. Then, after testing in whiteness, strength (including folding endurance, tensile properties and tearing resistance) and pH value, these paper samples were studied in their physical features, further, the relationship between the permanence of Lianshi Paper and its making processes was discussed in detail. It revealed that the traditional sun-light bleaching treatment and repetitious mild alkalis cooking processes, by which the making craft of Lianshi Paper is characterized, are beneficial to the paper permanence. Moreover, those Lianshi Papers that mainly treated in traditional processes have high retention of whiteness, strength and pH value, showing better permanence than these papers processed in the semi-modernized ways.Based on the integrated research stated above, a so-called "conserving the essential and discarding the dross" principle has been made. It affirms that the traditional sun-light bleaching treatment and repetitious mild alkalis cooking processes are of great significance both in history and technology, and should be conserved integrally and truly; on the other hand, some secondary processes, under the premise of not damaging the characteristics Lianshi Paper owns, could be kept in a compromised state with appropriate modern technologies adopted to meet social needs. On the basis of technical conservation method, other policy measures are discussed as followed, training of traditional craft inheritor, preservation of tangible heritage in situ, government functions and social consciousness. In conclusion, we consider tangible and intangible heritage as essential components in the Making Craft of Lianshi Paper Intangible Cultural Heritage, which should be conserved as a whole. Furthermore, some practical problems on conservation and utilization of handicraft intangible cultural heritage in China are studied in this part.