Chuantongshujizhuangzhenjiyi
01 · Historical Records
"Ancient books" (guji) is a short way of referring to books of ancient China; it chiefly means books written or printed before 1912 and bound in classical Chinese binding forms.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The traditional bookbinding craft refers specifically to the traditional handicraft of binding ancient books and documents according to Chinese traditional bookbinding styles, using traditional materials, traditional tools and traditional techniques. This craft existed widely in every period of ancient China and was practised under different climatic and geographical conditions. The traditional bookbinding craft covers many traditional binding forms, including scroll binding, accordion (sutra-fold) binding, butterfly binding, wrapped-back binding, thread binding, rough-edged binding and gold-inlaid-jade binding, and involves knowledge from many fields such as history, textual editions, materials and fine art. Thanks to its vast special collections of rare works and to more than a hundred years of continuous exploration and transmission of traditional bookbinding techniques, the traditional bookbinding craft of the National Library of China systematically and comprehensively brings together the binding forms, production materials and production techniques of traditional books from different historical periods, regions and ethnic groups in ancient China. It includes both the binding techniques of Chinese-language ancient books such as Song and Yuan rare editions and epigraphic rubbings, and many traditional bookbinding techniques of ancient ethnic minorities and frontier regions. Binding technique is one of the important crafts in the making and transmission of ancient books; it carries valuable technical and cultural information and is an important manifestation of Chinese civilization in historical, cultural and artistic terms.
Scroll binding
The oldest form: text written on continuous sheets with rods at both ends and ties outside, unrolled right to left when read and rolled up when stored, with the length of the roll varying to suit the text.
Accordion-fold binding
Sheets are folded so text runs on both sides and the folds concatenate into a single strip read by unfolding; the fold line cuts the columns, so the width of the fold and the layout must be designed together.
Butterfly binding
Each leaf is folded singly with the printed centre line inside and the outer edges stitched one by one, then joined along the spine with paper or silk, so the closed book opens like a butterfly's wings.
Wrapper binding and thread binding
In wrapper binding the folded edges are covered and fastened so leaves must be lifted from the fore-edge; thread binding pierces the right side of the folded quires and sews them, the usual form of official and private books from the Song onwards.
Loose binding and gold-inlaid mounting
Loose binding ties leaves with paper stitches without piercing them, easy to consult but fragile; gold-inlaid mounting repairs damaged leaves with matching paper and lining, leaving plain borders around the characters so fragments can survive.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
The traditional bookbinding craft is practised in the ancient-book restoration departments of libraries and cultural and museum institutions in every province and municipality across the country, but it is most complete at the National Library of China. Counting from the founding of the Capital Library, when a binding room was specially established, this craft has been carried on here in one continuous line for more than a hundred years, engaging people skilled in binding to carry out the organization of the collection, and the standards were established from that time. Since the Song and Yuan rare editions and epigraphic rubbings held here are so numerous, the work of binding has at its disposal an inexhaustible supply of physical specimens. Today's specimen library preserves one by one the forms, papers, book covers and title slips of bindings from successive dynasties, so that visiting researchers from other institutions can compare against actual objects rather than relying on drawings alone.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
The National Library of China is one of the main institutions transmitting the traditional bookbinding craft. The National Library's history of transmitting the traditional bookbinding craft can be traced back to the "binding room" established in the early days of the Capital Library to handle the binding of ancient books; it has now lasted more than a hundred years, and a team of inheritors with strong professional capability has been formed. According to the Compiled Historical Materials of the Beijing Library (1909–1949), the books of the Capital Library "were mostly transferred from the Qing Grand Secretariat; at the opening of the library a binding room was specially set up, and people skilled in binding were engaged to carry out the organization of the collection". At present the library has a professional traditional bookbinding team composed of veteran experts, senior technicians and highly educated young apprentices, with a comprehensive range of disciplines, superb skills and a well-balanced age structure. The National Library promotes the transmission and spread of the craft and its culture through means such as bringing the craft into schools and textbooks, making documentary films, and establishing a binding specimen library. At the same time, in connection with its routine work it vigorously promotes the productive protection of this craft, achieving both social and economic benefits. Whether for the study of ancient books or for their collection and conservation, this craft plays a very important role. Protecting and transmitting the traditional bookbinding craft well can not only serve the various collecting and restoration institutions and display the beauty of ancient books, but also enrich the publishing forms of present-day books and advance the spread and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture.
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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