Xian zhuang means thread binding or stiched binding in Chinese.
Xian zhuang became the predominant Chinese book format late in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It represents the last phase in the history of traditional Chinese bookbinding from butterfly binding to wrapped-back binding. The vast majority of books handed down to us from China's imperial past are in this format.
Paper
Chinese papers have a much more delicate aspect than the tough paper mulberry used in Korea and Japan. A variety of bast and grass fibers have been used to make paper in China. Long bast fibers such as hemp, mulberry, paper mulberry (Brousonnetia papyrifera), blue sandalwood, and shorter grass fibers such as bamboo and rice straw were the primary fibers depending on local resources. |
Sewing
Most scholars agree that the stab binding was first produced in China. In Xian zhuang book, there are inner stitch and and outer stitch. The inner stitch binds the text block together before sewing outer stitch. There are usually two inner stitches per book. Using twisted paper as a thread for inner holes is most common way in China as well as in Korea and Japan. Typical number of outer sewing holes in Xian zhuang book, is four and the space of sewing holes is not even. Mostly the two inner holes are closer to each other than to the outer holes.
Most scholars agree that the stab binding was first produced in China. In Xian zhuang book, there are inner stitch and and outer stitch. The inner stitch binds the text block together before sewing outer stitch. There are usually two inner stitches per book. Using twisted paper as a thread for inner holes is most common way in China as well as in Korea and Japan. Typical number of outer sewing holes in Xian zhuang book, is four and the space of sewing holes is not even. Mostly the two inner holes are closer to each other than to the outer holes.
Cover
Typical thread-bound books are covered with an undecorated thin blue or brown paper cover and occasionally with silk covers. The covers of Chinese side-stitched books are thin and flexible, which cannot stand upright on the shelves, they have to lie flat instead. It is common to see extra blank folded sheets at both the front and back of the fascicle for added protection in Chinese bindings.
Typical thread-bound books are covered with an undecorated thin blue or brown paper cover and occasionally with silk covers. The covers of Chinese side-stitched books are thin and flexible, which cannot stand upright on the shelves, they have to lie flat instead. It is common to see extra blank folded sheets at both the front and back of the fascicle for added protection in Chinese bindings.
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Li sao tʻu
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Lun yu bie cai
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Bibliography
International Dunhuang Project: The Silk Road Online. (2007). Bookbinding. http://idp.bl.uk/downloads/Bookbinding.pdf
Martinique, E. (1983). Chinese traditional bookbinding : a study of its evolution and techniques . San Francisco: Chinese Materials Center.
Minah Song. (2009). The history and characteristics of traditional Korean books and bookbinding. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32(1), 53-78, DOI:10.1080/19455220802630743
Munn, J. (2009). Side-stitched books of China, Korea and Japan in western collections. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32(1), 103–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/19455220802630792
International Dunhuang Project: The Silk Road Online. (2007). Bookbinding. http://idp.bl.uk/downloads/Bookbinding.pdf
Martinique, E. (1983). Chinese traditional bookbinding : a study of its evolution and techniques . San Francisco: Chinese Materials Center.
Minah Song. (2009). The history and characteristics of traditional Korean books and bookbinding. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32(1), 53-78, DOI:10.1080/19455220802630743
Munn, J. (2009). Side-stitched books of China, Korea and Japan in western collections. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32(1), 103–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/19455220802630792
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