Oiled paper umbrella
History of Chinese oiled paper umbrellas
Oiled paper umbrella has a long history, full of rich cultural connotation and skill inheritance.
In the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC to 476 BC), Lu Ban’s wife Yun Shi saw that her husband often got wet working in rainy days, so she skillfully used bamboo and animal hides to make the first rain gear which was the prototype of the oil-paper umbrella. This invention not only solved Lu Ban’s problem of working on rainy days, but also marked the beginning of the history of oil-paper umbrellas.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD to 220 AD), CAI Lun invented the technique of paper making, providing an entirely new material for the manufacture of oiled paper umbrellas. People began to use paper as the umbrella surface and coated it with cooked tung oil to enhance the waterproof performance.
By the Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 907 AD), the use of oil-paper umbrellas was very common, and there appeared a special oil-paper umbrella with rice paper as the umbrella surface, and painters wrote and painted on the umbrella surface. This kind of oiled paper umbrella not only has practical value, but also has artistic value, and became a fashion in society at that time.
After the Song Dynasty (960 AD to 1279 AD), the production process of oil-paper umbrellas became more refined and the styles were more abundant. People began to draw various patterns on the surface of the umbrella, making the oil-paper umbrella not only have the function of protecting the rain, but also become a kind of decoration.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 AD to 1912 AD), the craft of making oiled paper umbrellas reached its peak. Artisans through fine manual skills, the oiled paper umbrella is made both beautiful and practical. At the same time, the oiled paper umbrella also became an important commodity in the society at that time, exported to home and abroad.
Since modern times, with the development of modern industry, oiled paper umbrellas have been gradually replaced by more convenient modern rain gear. However, as a traditional handicraft and cultural symbol, oiled paper umbrella is still deeply loved and cherished by people. It is not only an object for people to appreciate and collect, but also an important carrier for inheriting and carrying forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture.
Craft of Chinese Oiled Paper Umbrellas
Chinese oiled paper umbrellas, known as “油纸伞” (yóu zhǐ sǎn), are traditional handmade umbrellas. The process of making these umbrellas involves several detailed and intricate steps:
1. Frame Construction: The frame of the umbrella is usually made from bamboo. Bamboo is chosen for its strength, flexibility, and lightweight properties. The bamboo is split, shaped, and smoothed into thin ribs and a central shaft. Then, each bamboo stick of the umbrella bone is polished with sandpaper to avoid cutting the umbrella surface in the subsequent process.
2. Paper Application: Once the frame is ready, thin sheets of paper, traditionally made from mulberry bark or other plant fibers, will be cut to the right size and smoked on both sides with candles to increase its water resistance. And finally paper will be meticulously glued onto the frame. The paper is layered to ensure durability and resistance to tearing.
3. Oiling: The paper is then coated with a special oil, commonly made from tung oil, to make it waterproof and more resilient to the elements. This oiling process also gives the paper a distinctive translucent quality and a pleasant sheen.
4. Decoration: After oiling, the umbrellas are often decorated with intricate hand-painted designs. These designs can range from traditional motifs such as flowers, birds, and landscapes to more modern and abstract patterns.
5. Final Assembly: The final step involves attaching a handle and often a tassel to the umbrella. The mechanisms for opening and closing the umbrella are also added, completing the construction process.
Above are the five most important steps in the process of making an oiled paper umbrella. In fact, the production process of oiled paper umbrella also includes more than 70 processes such as selecting bamboo, cutting the umbrella frame, mounting the umbrella surface, oiling, threading and so on. Each process requires the careful operation of the craftsman who poured a lot of effort. It is these cumbersome and delicate processes that make each oiled paper umbrella a unique work of art.
It is worth noting that because of the complex production process and long production cycle of the oiled paper umbrella, every oiled paper umbrella is particularly precious. At the same time, the oil-paper umbrella, one of the important representatives of Chinese traditional culture, not only has practical value, but also carries rich cultural connotation and historical information.
With the development of modern science and technology, some modern processes and equipment have been introduced into the making of oiled paper umbrellas, but its traditional hand-made skills have still been preserved and inherited. Nowadays, oiled paper umbrella has become a treasure of Chinese folk traditional handicraft which is deeply loved and sought after by people.
Cultural implication of Chinese Oiled Paper Umbrellas
– Cultural Significance: Oiled paper umbrellas have been deeply integrated into Chinese culture. They are often featured in traditional festivals, weddings, and theatrical performances. They are also considered to bring good luck and are sometimes used in traditional Chinese medicine to symbolize protection and well-being.
– Spread and Influence: The craftsmanship of oiled paper umbrellas spread beyond China to other parts of Asia, particularly Japan and Korea, where similar types of umbrellas are also traditionally made. Each region has developed its own distinct styles and techniques based on the original Chinese methods.
– Modern Revival: In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in traditional crafts, including the making of oiled paper umbrellas. Artisans and cultural enthusiasts are working to preserve and promote this ancient craft, ensuring that it continues to be appreciated by future generations.
Chinese oiled paper umbrellas are not just practical items; they are also works of art that represent the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of China.
