Korean paper (which is commonly known as “hanji”) is the most popular traditional handmade paper which is made in Korea. This paper is made from the inner bark of Paper Mulberry which is a tree found in Korea. This tree finely grows on the rocky mountainsides of Korea. Hanji is made from the mucilage that is collected from the roots of Hibiscus manihot. The paper is made in the form of laminated sheets using the “we bal” phenomena, which allows for multi-directional grain.
Hanji art consists of two kinds, one is called two dimensional and the other is three dimensional. Two-dimensional hanji art is made by creating an image in which paper of various colors are used, same as similar format as a painting, while in three-dimensional hanji art, the paper itself is folded and converted it into pieces to make the image stick up from the paper it is adhered to. Two-dimensional hanji art can be framed much like a painting. Three-dimensional hanji art is similar to paper mache, in that it can make sculptural objects that may stand unsupported.
Hanji craft is made in many forms that contain jido, jiho and jiseung. Jido is that craft in which many layers of hanji is pasted on a frame that is pre-made. This frame is made by trunks and sewing baskets. In Jiho, hanji scraps are immersed in water and after that, they are mixed in glue for making a clay-like paste. This paste is engraved into lidded bowls. Jiseung form contains lining and weaving strips of hanji which is used to make an open and broad array of household goods containing trays, mats, quivers, baskets, washbasins, shoes and chamberpots. These made in Korea hanji crafts are popular worldwide and have a strong value in the global market.
