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Show Par Japa I Papers: Their names, origins, history and use HE first[hxcc books compiled in Japan appearcd in the cight ojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) Nlhnngn (Chmmcln of Japan), and the Manysshi (c°1 lection of a Myria Leaves).In the Kojiki and Nihong are set downthe oral traditions an hicroglyphic records of events from about 1000 B. C. to 700 A.D. Th Manysshii contains poems and songs from remote antiquity, as well a those that were composed in the Empire to the time of publication. Tn th i and Niomgal e e o e o G e v pape mulberry tree for clothing, wrapping, and other domestic purposes, whil in the Manydshil there are numerous poems and songs which refer to th cultivation and use of this tree. Itis evident, therefore, that the Broussoneti Papyrifira was well e md utilized in ancient Japan The Kojiki and Nihongi state also that in the 18th year of Suiko, Buddhist priest, an envoy of the King of Korea, "presented to the Tmperia Japanese court a writing ink and papers." This has been interpreted b many writers as the date of the introduction of the art of papermakin time that wrmng was introduced into the country. IF these books are to b , paper was used in ancient Japan for many purpose and the introduction of paper and writing need not hav been mn(cmporaneous ‘The most ancient Japanese pocms and songs whic are recorded in the Manydshi refer clearly to kami, or paper, of the temple and shrines of pre-historic Japan. It s entirely possible that paper was use for purposes other than calligraphy long before the sixth century; in fact some Japancse antiquarians even go 5o far as to state that papermakin had its inception in Japan [85 Al rights reserved |