---
title: Hanji
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Hanji/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-02-04
---
# Hanji
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Hanji is the name of the handmade paper produced in ancient [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) from the 1st century BCE. Made from mulberry trees its exceptional quality made it a successful export, and it was widely used not only for [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) but also interior walls and everyday objects such as fans and umbrellas. *Hanji*, famed throughout Asia for its whiteness, texture, and strength, is still made today in specialised Korean workshops.
### Origins & Success
Paper was introduced to Korea from [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) at the time of the Chinese commandery at Lelang in the 1st century BCE. It was then manufactured throughout the subsequent [Three Kingdoms Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Three_Kingdoms_Period/). By the 7th century CE and the early years of the Unified [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) Period, the Koreans had mastered the art of manufacturing extremely fine quality paper. Korean-made inks were exported to the [Tang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) of China (618 – 906 CE), and such was the growing reputation of *hanji* that it too was exported to China during the Korean [Goryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goryeo/) Period (918-1392 CE). The Mongolian [Yuan Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yuan_Dynasty/) (13th-14th century CE) were also particularly keen on it to print their [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) texts. Just as they had with celadon ceramics, the Koreans had outdone their tutors.
### Manufacture & Uses
Initially Korean paper was made using hemp fibre, but the highest quality *hanji* was, for many centuries, made only from the pith of mulberry trees (*tak* in Korean, Latin: *Broussonetia papyrifera*). The toughness of *hanji* meant that it was ideally suited for use in printing presses that used blocks made from magnolia wood which had been soaked and boiled in saltwater and then dried for several years before use. Each block was 24 x 4 x 64 cm and carried 23 lines of vertical text on each side. These were then covered in ink and paper pressed against them. The resilience of *hanji* was especially useful from the 12th century CE when printing was done using heavier moveable [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/) type made of [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/), a Korean invention.
In the Joseon Period (from the 15th century CE), such was the demand for *hanji*, that [Sejong the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sejong_the_Great/) (r. 1418 - 1450 CE) permitted other plant materials to be used in its manufacture, especially bamboo. The paper was made in specialised workshops in the capital and the five provincial capitals. The *hanji* which was produced for state use was supervised by a government agency, the Chonjo-[chang](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Chang/).
[  Korean Hanji Paper Doors Robert (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5678/korean-hanji-paper-doors/ "Korean Hanji Paper Doors")Paper was used for writing, of course; the art of calligraphy was one of the six arts which all Korean scholars had to be accomplished at. Scrolls were made or, alternatively, individual folded pages were stitched together to create books. Some of the finest illuminated texts, typically of Buddhist *sutras* or sermons, were made using *hanji* paper dyed a pale yellow or deep indigo and given extra decoration using [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) and [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/).
Another important use of paper was in the interior walls and doors, and sometimes windows, of traditional Korean houses (*hanok*). The paper was transparent enough to admit a soft light into the home but could also help maintain a cool interior in summer and keep in warmth during winter. In the typical feature of [Korean architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korean_Architecture/) known as *ondol*, the traditional underfloor heating system, paper was used to cover the stones of the flooring.
Hand-held paper fans (*punchae or *b*uchae**) were widely used in ancient Korea by men and [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/). The first fans were made from leaves, as indicated by the names still in later use for some of the 70-odd known types (e.g. 'banana-leaf' and 'lotus leaf'). They are broadly divided into two types: spatula with a single handle or folding and spread on a split bamboo frame. Both sexes used both types in the home, but in public only men could use the folded type, usually lacquered black. The form, colour and decoration of fans could even indicate a person's social status or dictate their use. For example, folded fans were usually reserved for aristocratic males, at a wedding the bride used a red fan and the groom a blue one, and mourners always used white fans. Fans could be decorated with calligraphy or painted with scenes, the latter being more esteemed when done after the paper had been folded and set onto its frame.
[  Traditional Korean Dance Group Using Fans Republic of Korea (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5680/traditional-korean-dance-group-using-fans/ "Traditional Korean Dance Group Using Fans")Other items made from paper included banknotes, paintings, moveable screens (made of 2 to 12 panels in a wood frame), lantern covers, small boxes, artificial flowers, furniture (where strands of papers were twisted together, woven and then lacquered), cone-shaped rain hats (made waterproof by oiling the paper) and umbrellas. All of these items could be decorated with calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and lacquer. Kites, in a [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) where kite flying was a serious sport for youngsters and adults, were also made from paper stretched over a bamboo frame. Finally, even armour was made using many layers of pressed paper sheets. With all these uses, it is no surprise that paper became a staple form of government tribute (*kong*) from the 10th century CE.
This content was made possible with generous support from the [British Korean Society](http://www.britishkoreansociety.org.uk/?utm_source=ancient.eu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=ancient.eu).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Kyung Hwang. *A History of Korea.* Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0230205461/)
- [Lee, K. *A New History of Korea.* Harvard University Asia Center, 1984.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/067461576X/)
- [Portal, J. *Korea: Art & Archaeology.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500282021/)
- [Pratt, K. *Korea: A Historical & Cultural Dictionary.* Routledge, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0700704639/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 600 CE**: Fine quality paper known as [hanji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hanji/) is produced in ancient [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2016, September 17). Hanji. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Hanji." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 17, 2016. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Hanji." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Sep 2016, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 17 September 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.