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Barking Mulberry — Raw Material Harvesting for Hanji

English

作成者

KimSonDol

22. 4月 2026

Barking Mulberry — Raw Material Harvesting for Hanji

This blueprint explains the method of harvesting bark from mulberry trees (Broussonetia papyrifera), the first step in hanji (韓紙) production. It covers the entire process from appropriate felling timing, bark removal, separation of outer bark and inner bark, drying, and storage. This is the raw material acquisition technique that serves as the starting point for traditional Korean hanji papermaking craft.

初心者

4-6 hours

手順

Understanding the Paper Mulberry Tree

The paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a deciduous tree in the mulberry family that grows 3-10 meters tall. Its leaves are large and rough, with fine hairs on young branches. It grows throughout Korea and is cultivated specifically for hanji (traditional Korean paper) in Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces.

Determining the Harvesting Period

Paper mulberry harvesting is done between November and January, after all leaves have fallen. During this period, sap flow has stopped so the bark peels off cleanly, and fiber quality is at its best. Branches cut in spring or summer have weak fibers.

Selecting 1-3 Year Old Branches

Fibers for hanji are obtained from 1-3 year old branches. Select straight branches with few side shoots, 1.5-3 cm in diameter. Branches older than 3 years have coarse fibers, and branches younger than 1 year yield too little material.

このステップの材料:

Paper Mulberry Branches (1-3 year)20 個

Cutting the Branches

Cut at 5-10 cm above ground level using pruning shears or a sickle. Cutting at an angle prevents rainwater from pooling and rotting the stump. New branches will grow from the same stump the following year.

必要な工具:

Pruning Shears

Sickle

Cutting Branches to Uniform Length

Cut the harvested branches to 1-1.2 meter lengths. This is the standard length used in hanji production. Remove all side branches.

必要な工具:

Saw

Bundling the Branches

Bundle 20-30 cut branches together. Tie them at both ends and in the middle with straw or twine. Bundles that are too large will not fit in the steaming pot.

このステップの材料:

Binding Twine3 メートル

Steaming the Branches

Place water in a large pot or drum and stand the paper mulberry bundles upright on top. Cover with a lid and steam for 2-3 hours. Steaming softens the bark so it peels off cleanly.

このステップの材料:

Water for Steaming30 リットル

必要な工具:

Large Steaming Pot or Drum

Firewood

Stripping the Bark

While the steamed branches are still warm, make a knife cut at the top and pull downward — the bark will strip off in one piece. Hold the branch with one hand and pull the bark with the other. Work quickly as the bark becomes difficult to peel once it cools.

必要な工具:

Small Knife

Work Gloves (Cotton)

Separating the Black Bark (Heukpi)

The stripped bark consists of an outer black layer (heukpi) and an inner white layer (baekpi). Scrape off the black bark with a knife. If black bark remains, it will cause dark spots in the hanji, so it must be thoroughly removed.

必要な工具:

Scraping Knife

Inspecting the White Bark (Baekpi)

The white bark with the black bark removed is cream to light brown in color. When torn by hand, long tough fibers are visible. This is the bast fiber that is the raw material for hanji. Longer fibers produce stronger hanji.

Washing the White Bark

Wash the white bark in cold running water to remove residual debris and sap. Rub gently while washing, taking care not to damage the fibers.

このステップの材料:

Clean Water20 リットル

必要な工具:

Washing Basin

Drying the White Bark

Spread the washed white bark and dry in sunlight. Hang on a clothesline or spread on a bamboo rack. Dry for 2-3 days until completely dry. Bring in immediately if it rains.

必要な工具:

Drying Rack

Clothesline

Checking the Drying State

Fully dried white bark is stiff and lightweight, making a snapping sound when bent. If any moist areas remain, mold can grow, so it must be completely dried.

Bundling and Storing the Dried White Bark

Neatly gather the dried white bark and tie with twine. Store in a cool, well-ventilated location. If protected from moisture and direct sunlight, it can be stored for over a year. Soak in water before use.

このステップの材料:

Binding Twine2 メートル

Managing the Paper Mulberry Stumps

After harvesting, remove weeds around the stump. A healthy stump will produce 5-8 new branches in spring. It can be harvested again after 3 years, and a single stump can be harvested repeatedly for over 30 years.