Tibetans began to make paper when Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) arrived there more than 1300 years ago, bringing papermaking technology from the mainland.
From then on, new technologies of nearby ethnic minority groups and local Tibetan materials have been continuously adopted into the Tibetan papermaking process.
The Tibetan paper made from the root of Chinese plant stellera (Radix Stellerae), which contains poisonous ingredients strong enough to keep moth and mice away. It has incredible durability so it remains in a good condition for a long time. That's why it serves as the principal writing material for Buddhist scriptures. The need to print Buddhist lections also pushed the development of traditional Tibetan papermaking. Now, Tibetan papermaking has become a special craft.
Traditional Tibetan papermaking uses local plants such as Stellera chamaejasme, Chinese Eaglewood Wood, and Cornus controversa. The production of Tibetan papermaking involves boiling cortexes, braizing, rinsing, pestling and airing. The techniques of Tibetan papermaking spread not only within Tibet, but also to neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan.
Email to Friends
Print
Save