 Paper and civilization are closely related to each other. When did we first start using paper? The paper produced domestically was traditionally called 'Hanji' to distinguish itself from imported papers. We will find about the Hunji from now on.
Hanji is also called 'dakjong' which means papers made of mulberry tree. It was called 'chahoji' as well among the common people.
Although no written records about the origin of the Hanji are found today, there is the story passed down by word of mouth. According to the story, there was a monk lived in the temple where there were a lot of mulberry trees around. One day, he kept pummeling the cane made of mulberry tree on the rock and left it behind accidentally. When he returned the spot next day, he found that the cane surface was dehydrated. He peeled off the cane, mashed and arranged it on the rock. It became the starting point of the future paper manufacturing.
It is generally believe that the first paper was made of plants named 'Papyrus', which was growing around the Neil River. In the case of the east, Cahryun first made the paper in China in 105 with fibers. The first paper in Korea may have made in the early Koryo era according to 'Samkuksaki'.
|  The oldest existing Hanji was found recently in one of the Koryo relics located in North Korea. The oldest Hanji of Korea is 'Mugujungkwangdaedaranikyoung' made in SINRA era. It is a roll of paper with 6.5m in width and 7m in height. It was discovered in the Seukga tower at the Bulkuk Temple located in Kyoungjoo. It is the oldest paper -printing relic in the world. Although the surface was damaged, the inside is still in a good quality. The paper is a domestic product made of mulberry tree. The fact that the paper is still in such good condition after long time proves that how advanced the paper manufacturing technology was at that time.
The excellence of Hanji was mentioned in many literatures. The strong points of Hanji are durable, but clean and soft. In particular, the yellowish Hanji had a good odor and texture, so it was very popular in foreign countries. Korea was one of the most advanced countries in regard to paper manufacturing, exporting Hanji to China where the paper was first made.
Hanji was used not only for printing but also for various daily products including basket, pencil case, pillow, bookcase and sewing kit.
Even today Hanji is used for various sorts of fancy items in different beautiful colors ranging from normal white paper to leaf printed color paper. However, the demands for the Hanji is sadly decreasing and instead the chap Chinese paper and machine produced papers are in more use. To preserve our precious and excellent asset of Hanji, we need to feel more attached to it and put more efforts widely using it in our lives.
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