History of Chinese Paper and Printing Culture

Author: Qian Cunxun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Papermaking and printing played an irreplaceable role in the development and progress of world civilization in Chinese culture. This book discusses the origins and development of these two great inventions on a comprehensive scale, from the earliest stages known to date up to the end of the 19th century when these crafts were replaced by modern technology. It includes research findings from the forefront of this topic over the years, covering all historical periods and aspects such as technology, aesthetics, applications, global dissemination, and influence. It stands as a monumental work on this subject. At the same time, the publication of this book powerfully refutes and challenges the recent Korean skepticism and questioning of China's invention of printing. This book is a comprehensive study that emphasizes the role, significance, and impact of paper and printing in the cultural history of China and the world. The scope includes every historical era, from their earliest appearance to the end of the 19th century, marking the end of the craft era. The book is divided into ten chapters: the first chapter is an introduction summarizing the entire book; paper and printing (including inkmaking and binding) each occupy three chapters; dissemination and influence also take up three chapters, with the final chapter concluding with the functions and impacts of paper and printing on Chinese and world civilization. The book's structure is clear and systematic, with evenly distributed content. The sources include physical artifacts and documents, along with 174 illustrations. The appendix, "Bibliography of the History of Chinese Printing," contains over a thousand entries, providing further reference material for researchers.