Date: June 4th - 6th, 2024

Place: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh, U.K

Fee: 640 GBP (incl. materials)

The course is full, for inquiries please contact:
 

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Overview:

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The 3-day course will start with a theoretical session. Participants will study history and characteristics of Chinese, Korean and Japanese papermaking, including an overview of contemporary East Asian paper production. Several factors that can change the quality of paper during the papermaking process will be indicated and discussed. Participants will be shown microscopic images of the different fibers in Eastern papers.

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A set of different Asian paper samples will be provided to each participant, so they can study the papers first hand and examine the fibers, sheet formation, alkali content and the results of different manufacturing processes and drying methods. Participants will also be able to analyze paper mulberry fibers from different countries and observe the changes after cooking with different alkalis.

After a theory session, participants will make small-sized paper using simple tools, with paper mulberry and with cotton fiber as a comparison. These small-sized paper sheets, without sizing, are often useful as repair paper itself. This practice will help participants understand basic papermaking techniques and assist in the creation of their own repair paper of appropriate weight and color.

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Participants will make drying board (a.k.a. karibari) using a honeycomb board and mulberry paper, coated with acrylic dispersion. Drying boards are helpful to control the drying rate  without pressure while keeping the object under tension. This board can also be used as a support for oversized objects.

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Participants will study friction drying - flattening Western paper objects with mulberry paper support; a process particularly complicated when applied to uneven thickness, short-fibred or moisture-sensitive paper (e.g. tracing paper).

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Participants will also work on various methods of mending and lining, using different Asian papers and adhesives, as appropriate for specific objects, for example: iron-gall ink documents, handmade Western paper, transparent paper, smooth-surface machine-made paper. Participants will try double-sided lining with lightweight mulberry tissue for fragile paper support; they will also line objects and  use the drying boards made on the first day. Participants will test different repair methods using paper mulberry, mitsumata fibers, and Chinese paper with different adhesives, including making  re-moistenable tissue. Some useful tips in toning mulberry paper will be discussed including various applications of acrylic paints (air brush, brush, & dipping) and drying methods (hanging vs air-drying flat).

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