"Unchanging 'Hanji' After 1000 Years, Embodying Human Sincerity"

Director Lee Baeyong of Traditional Hanji Intangible Cultural Heritage Registration Task Force
Time and Effort-Intensive, Expensive Price Leads to Neglect...Young Artisans Also Disappearing
Hard to Restore Once Lost, "Anyone Who Knows the Process Is Amazed"

Hanji does not change even after 1,000 years. It is that durable and tear-resistant. Made only from natural materials, it also has a pleasant fragrance. The main ingredients are the paper mulberry tree, lye, and dakpul (Hwangchokgyu). The white bark peeled from the paper mulberry tree is boiled in lye to make dak fibers. These fibers are then mixed in water containing dakpul and formed by foot dipping. In Korea, single-foot dipping has been practiced since ancient times. By shaking the foot in all directions, water is drained and fibers are entangled with each other. This is the secret to Hanji’s superior durability and preservation compared to Chinese Huazhi or Japanese Washi. The “Mugujeonggwang Daedaranigyeong (無垢淨光大陀羅尼經)” from the Unified Silla period is recognized as the world’s oldest woodblock print, boasting unparalleled quality.

However, the reality of Hanji is extremely precarious. Even in regions with representativeness and authenticity, related culture is declining. The biggest obstacle is the high price. Welfare centers and cultural centers offer calligraphy classes at low prices, so they seek paper like Seonji that costs less than 100 won per sheet. The Hanji craft boom has long since faded. Because it takes a lot of time and effort to produce, the price is high, and popularity quickly waned. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism distributes Hanji-based consumer goods to embassies and Korean cultural centers, and delivers about 20,000 Hanji certificates to central government agencies, local governments, and schools. However, this is insufficient to induce a revival. Meanwhile, the young people who would carry on the tradition have disappeared, leaving only about 20 workshops.

Traditional Hanji Paper for Main Buddha Image Treatment of Paper Cultural Heritage
[Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

Lee Baeyong, Professor Emeritus at Ewha Womans University, is confident that UNESCO intangible cultural heritage registration can be a turning point. This belief comes from experience. Previously, he led the designation of “Korean Seowon” and “Sansa, Korean Mountain Monasteries” as UNESCO World Heritage sites, which still receive national attention. Last month, he took on the role of head of the traditional Hanji UNESCO intangible cultural heritage registration promotion team and is collecting various materials. Lee said, “Since the Hanji industry is struggling, we will make intangible cultural heritage registration a national goal and gain the world’s trust. This will be an opportunity to improve the backward reality and prepare effective revival measures.” “Preserving traditional culture cannot rely solely on government or local government support. We all need to cheer and protect it together.”

- When do you expect the intangible cultural heritage registration to take place?

“As early as 2024. It is possible only if the government and local governments systematically support the budget and artisans and academia unite their passion. Like conducting an orchestra, we are gathering everyone’s wisdom.”

- Hanji has low price competitiveness. It may be difficult to expect a revival from registration alone...

“It can provide a sufficient opportunity. If policy support for artisans is backed, the unit price will decrease accordingly. A culture of using Hanji will also be created. In fact, just conveying how precious this traditional culture is to modern people accustomed to computer work is meaningful. Once you understand its nature, anyone is bound to be amazed. You can feel that the paper is alive. I want to promote this marvelous culture as a national campaign.”

- What attracted you to Hanji?

“It is paper imbued with human sincerity. From the manufacturing process, it does not go against the pure spirit of nature. Natural materials undergo traditional manufacturing to transform into soft and sturdy paper. The hearts and thoughts of our ancestors contained in it are the spirit of our people. I respect the artisans who laid the foundation under harsh conditions. They are the hidden subjects who have preserved our history.”

- Chinese Xuan paper and Japanese Washi were registered as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2009 and 2014 respectively.

“It is certainly late. At the launch ceremony of the traditional Hanji UNESCO intangible cultural heritage registration promotion team last month, many people unanimously said it should have been registered earlier. Its excellence is well known, but it is rarely used in daily life. The number of students learning calligraphy or Korean painting is decreasing. Even at Ewha Womans University, few major in Korean painting. Most focus on contemporary art. As usage declines, the Hanji piling up in workshops increases. The government must step in to help. This should be developed as a project to protect not only the artisans’ livelihoods but also our traditional culture.”

- What made you interested in Hanji?

“After ‘Korean Seowon’ was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, I was researching the culture of noble families. While investigating materials in places like Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk, I learned about Hanji’s excellence. There was no doubt about its history and quality. Research by Professor Kim Hyeongjin of the Department of Forest Life Biotechnology at Kookmin University, who created the ‘Hanji Grand Exhibition,’ confirmed various functionalities, giving me confidence that it can be registered.”

- You seem to have a special love for traditional culture...

“Actually, our culture is excellent (laughs). It instills national pride. It cannot be made overnight with money. It has come to this point through a long history. Once lost, it is not easy to restore. Everyone must cherish and preserve it with affection. A passionate national support is needed.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.