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Dó Paper

4/8/2019

 
By Ren Ta 

Dó paper is Vietnamese traditional hand-made paper that first presented itself to Vietnam in the 3rd century; however, its origins began in the 13th century.  It is a resilient, chemical-free paper, that is so durable, it could last up to 800 years. This type of paper was commonly used in Vietnamese folk art, with such artists like the legendary painter Dong Ho as a user of this paper.  Since the rapid industrialization and urbanization that has been continually occurring in Vietnam, the craft of traditional paper making has halted. The lack of desire for this process of papermaking has created a project to inform the community about the art of this paper. The Zo project has really brought back the cultural dynamics of papermaking and informed many on the ethnical ties that this paper has to the Vietnamese culture. 

Dó paper is made from the bark of the Rhamnoneuron balansae tree, which the Vietnamese call the Dó tree found in the Northern parts of Vietnam. Behind the paper itself, there is a process of over 100 steps to get it to be the paper that it is. However, the modern day process has made it attainable within ten steps. Since this process is made of all raw material, those materials have to be collected, harvested, and steamed. After that, the bark of the Dó tree is boiled with a 12% lime solution and continuously mixed. From there, the bark is then beaten by an oak stick so that the fibers could be loosened. Onwards, the pulp from the beating, water, and "mo" are throughly stirred into a mixture, in which the mixture would be shaken back and forth evenly on a bamboo screen (liềm seo). The water from the pulp would then be drained and repeated for a desired thickness. Finally, the water should be all pressed out, sheets should be stripped apart, and left to dry out in the sun. The paper could also be colored by fresh plants as well. 

Now-a-days, the Dó paper is at risk of extinction. Modern day urbanization and the shortage of Dó sets back the already so rare production of Dó paper. On top of that, Dó paper is only seasonally produced because it is only good to harvest in between August and October when the bark strips itself away from the tree. What once used to employ a whole village of people is now the labor of only two important families that are willing to keep the tradition of heritage alive, Mr. Pham Van Tam and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Huong being one of those families have more than 20 varieties of Dó paper in their store. They reside in the Bac Ninh province, famously known as Phong Khe village. This village is now being taken over for industrial paper production, resulting in the lessening of Dó paper. 

Picture
Dong Ho painting called "Rat Wedding" His traditional folk paintings usually include every-day activities and farmers religious routines painted on Dó ​ paper. 
Picture

Dó 
paper being flattened out by shaking back and forth on the bamboo screen. 

Citations.
1. http://zopaper.com/do-paper-making-process/
2. https://www.vietnamonline.com/culture/dong-ho-paintings.html
3. http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160817-the-handmade-paper-that-lasts-800-years
4. https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/art-entertainment/159872/stories-behind-vietnam-s-traditional-do-paper.html
5. ​http://zopaper.com/general-informations-on-do-paper/
6. http://zopaper.com/do-paper-made-by-phong-khe-village/
Isabelle Walek
4/11/2019 09:16:17 pm

Hello Ren! Thank you so much for teaching me about Dó paper! I didn't know about this paper or this process and now I want to learn even more about it. The process seems intense and time consuming but looking at the paper, it is so worth it. I think it's fascinating that this paper can last for 800 years. I found it sad that this paper is almost extinct and not appreciated as much as it once was.I look forward to reading more about the Zo project and what they are currently doing now.

Elizabeth Z. Pineda
4/11/2019 09:27:51 pm

I really am intrigued by your post. I kept thinking how much I would love to use Dó paper. I have recently used different substrates and materials in my work realizing that it can also inform it. In particular I have used mulberry and Kozo (unryu, gampi.) I am really fascinated by the research and history you shared about Dó paper and am saddened by the fact that it is on the brink of extinction if the few families that are producing it are run off by the industrialization that inevitably moves in. It is devastating to think of all the treasures of knowledge that have been lost throughout the world by this shear factor. Thank you for sharing, I will definitely follow your links and read some more!


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