| OCR Text |
Show 11 PAPERMAKIN correspond closely to the most ancient Chinese practice. This, however, could hardly be classed as a survival of the original Chines system, as it is doubtful if paper has been made in this way in Sha above several hundred years. In the Southern Shan States the principal papermaking localities are Mong Kung, Lawksawk, an Kengtung, and their manner of moulding the sheets of paper i unlike that of any other locality. Afier the bark is prepared an macerated, a sufficient quantity for the making of one sheet i placed in a large receptacle half filed with water, and worke with a crossforked pole rolled between the hands. This actio separates the fibres and renders them suitable for making int paper. The actual sheets are then formed by throwing this s pul pulp mass into an oblong wooden fram ork of shallow construction over the lower side of which is stretched a piece of native cloth o containing the pulp is held in a trough, a little below water level and upon bamboo supports. The pulp s quickly mixed with th water by the workers until it fills the cloth-bottomed mould to it boundaries. After the fibres have been well spread the mould i fted from the trough, the thin layer of moist paper lying evenl upon the woven cloth. The worker then rests the filled moul upon the top edges of the trough to drain, the process requirin about ten minutes for cach sheet. During the moulding proces the workers throw out any unbeaten fibres or particles of dir which would cause the paper to be uneven in texture or colour After draining, the frame-work, with the wet sheet of paper sil clinging to the fabric bottom, is placed to dry in the sun in an i clined position, supported by a polc of bamboo. When the sheet ardy dry, a worker rubs it witha picce of porcelain, a broken cu or bowl, which gives to one side a fairly smooth surface. After fou Digital Imag © 2004 University of Utah. All rights reserved |
