Cultural Heritage Administration Establishes and Implements Plan to Revitalize Hanji Craftsmen

Establishing Transmission Foundations, Strengthening Research, and Creating Demand in Cultural Heritage
"Promoting the Revitalization of National and Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmission Activities"

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 13th that it has established and will implement a plan to revitalize the national intangible cultural heritage Hanji craftsmen to expand the use of Hanji (traditional Korean paper) and preserve its manufacturing techniques. Hanji craftsmen refer to the traditional techniques of making Hanji or the artisans who possess these skills.

The main tasks are building a transmission foundation, strengthening research, and creating demand in the cultural heritage sector. Efforts will be made to provide opportunities for transmission activities centered on Hanji craftsmen to solidify the transmission system, as well as to improve facilities (workshops) and support material procurement. Research will also be conducted on quality standards for Hanji used in the repair and restoration of tangible cultural properties such as paper-based and wooden structures, and comparative studies of traditional paper from Korea, China, and Japan. Additionally, Hanji made from traditional raw materials will be applied to various cultural heritage fields to stimulate demand in the cultural heritage sector.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Starting next year, we will review Hanji certification standards within the traditional materials certification system to establish a foundation for the use of Hanji in cultural heritage repairs." They added, "In particular, the use of traditional Hanji will be prioritized in cultural heritage care projects, repairs and restorations of the Five Grand Palaces and Joseon Royal Tombs, and when applying for national subsidies for cultural heritage repair and maintenance projects, those using traditional Hanji will be given priority support." They further noted, "Since Hanji craftsmen are designated not only as national intangible cultural heritage holders (4 individuals) but also as holders of intangible cultural heritage designated by provinces and cities (5 individuals), this will help revitalize transmission activities of both national and regional intangible cultural heritage."

Hanji production involves about twenty processes, from processing raw materials such as daknamu (paper mulberry), yukjae, and hwangchokgyu, to pounding dak fibers, mixing, and drying. Most of these steps are done by hand, resulting in high production costs. Due to competition from cheap imported paper, demand has decreased, and the number of artisans is gradually declining. However, Hanji is an important traditional material that enhances the value and authenticity of cultural heritage, and it embodies the practical traditional knowledge of ancestors who used natural resources to make daily necessities, thus it is highly valued for its transmission.

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