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Before the Ming Dynasty, Chinese paper was primarily crafted from plant phloem fibers and hand-rolled. It exhibited exceptional durability with a lifespan ranging from 500 to 2,000 years, which gave rise to the saying, "paper lives for a thousand years."
From the Dunhuang document "The First Division of the Code Canon" in 417 AD to the classics of the Qing Dynasty, although all referred to as "ancient books," the paper used varied significantly, including hemp paper, kraft paper, and bamboo paper, each with distinct properties. Currently, in China, the identification of ancient book paper predominantly relies on empirical judgment. In contrast, since the 1970s in Japan, natural science methods have been incorporated into paper research. These methods not only analyze the raw materials of ancient book paper to understand its characteristics but also investigate the impact of the paper-making environment on the paper's quality. Taro Okiwa, an expert from the Japan National Treasure Restoration and Decoration Association, stated, "In Japan, such research is not solely the responsibility of scientists but also constitutes the daily work of frontline ancient book restorers."
Associated with the lack of fundamental research, traditional paper production in China has become increasingly scarce. A few years ago, during the major renovation of the Forbidden City, there was a notable shortage of suitable paper. For the restoration of ancient books at the National Library of China, the situation is even more challenging: the Dunhuang manuscripts were made of hemp paper, which is no longer available today. Consequently, during restoration, the most similar substitute paper must be used. Since the Dunhuang manuscripts' paper quality is relatively thick, multiple layers are often required to replicate its thickness. To restore the Yongle Encyclopedia of the Ming Dynasty, Korean paper from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty was utilized. Originally intended for window pasting in the Qing palace, this batch of paper is now exceedingly rare. Thus, "using similar paper as a substitute" remains the only viable option due to necessity.
The restoration of ancient books demands a wide variety of high-quality paper, though usage is minimal. This has resulted in the significant contraction of the traditional paper production industry, which was already limited in scale. Zhang Ping, head of the National Library's Special Collection Restoration Team, recounted an experience: traveling thousands of miles in search of paper, only to discover that the manufacturer had gone bankrupt. Even when a paper mill is located, the product quality may not meet requirements. On one occasion, a batch of "kraft paper" was ordered, with repeated warnings issued to the manufacturer regarding quality assurance. Upon inspection, however, wood pulp was found mixed in the raw materials. Zhang Ping explained that paper made from wood pulp has a lifespan of no more than a hundred years, meaning that if such paper is used for restoration, the restoration material will deteriorate before the original ancient book paper.
The restoration of ancient books is an intricate task requiring meticulous attention to detail. The repair material differs from the base paper; initially, it may appear satisfactory. However, according to prevailing views, the restoration period of an ancient book spans approximately two to three hundred years. During this time, the restoration materials and the original ancient book paper coexist for two or three centuries. The disparities in physical and chemical properties between the original paper and the restoration paper could potentially exert unforeseen effects on the preservation of ancient books. In Japan, the restoration paper used has even been measured and imitated for the "curtain patterns" left on the base paper during the papermaking process, as the density of these patterns can subtly influence the scaling behavior of the paper during preservation. Zhang Ping remarked on this phenomenon.
A millennium has passed. Indeed, it is impossible today to fully "clone" ancient paper. Nevertheless, applying modern technological means to comprehensively understand the properties of ancient paper serves as the prerequisite for achieving a perfect combination in the restoration of ancient books. It is the inescapable responsibility of contemporary Chinese people to create "kindred spirits" of ancient paper. After all, China is the birthplace of papermaking.