일제강점기 ‘제지강습회(製紙講習會)’를 통한 전통제지기술의 변화 양상

Abstract

Made from paper mulberry tree, hanji was also called ‘gyeonji’ for its durability, thickness, gloss and smoothness. With regard to hanji, there have been much accomplished on the researches on hanjijang (hanji craftsman, important intangible cultural asset no. 117), superiority of hanji as a national scientific technology, papermaking during the Joseon dynasty and improvement on hanji during the Japanese occupation. Gadumddeugi technique, or ssangbalddeugi technique, in making hanji is known to have brought in from Japan during their occupation. We still use Japanese technique and instruments in hanji-making because although they may diminish paper durability, overall productivity increased. However, it is unknown exactly when and how these Japanese technique and instruments were brought into Korea. In the course of studying the intangible asset of papermaking, this paper explored on when and how these Japanese technique and instruments were brought into Korea and made a difference in the industry by focusing on the ‘papermaking institute’ and relevant gazettes, newspaper articles, literature. The institute was held as a part of the policy enforced by the Japanese Government-General of Korea. Its role was to modernize through diffusion and proliferation of cultivation of raw materials for traditional papermaking as well as instruments techniques for papermaking, and it served as a direct cause for change in traditional papermaking. The students also enthusiastically accepted the modified papermaking techniques. There were positive results in terms of modernization including standardization for export. Unfortunately, in the process, our traditional papers have disappeared, and sturdy hanji came to be perceived as a ‘subject for modification’ and Japanese papermaking techniques have become mainstream in the present day. I plan to find an opportunity to approach the true nature of traditional papermaking by exploring the course and factors of change in papermaking before and after modern time.