A cultural paper trail

According to Huang Feisong, director of the Xuan Paper Research Center at the China Xuan Paper Group, based on clues in the historical record, Xuan paper was named after its main production area, Xuancheng.

"Xuan paper has many characteristics, like the ability to show different shades of ink, its stability, its durability and its resistance to insects, of which the first is the most prominent, and that's why it has been the favorite of calligraphers and painters through the ages," says Huang.

"The other features ensure it can be kept for ages, and that enables paintings, calligraphy, ancient documents and books to be passed down to the present day."

Chinese ink painter Li Xiaolong says that, when creating freehand brush paintings, showing ink variations is important. Some painters drip or splash ink like raindrops, and Xuan paper is the best for showing what they want to present.

"Xuan paper and artists are just like fish and water, which means they need each other. Xuan paper can show its quality through the creation of calligraphers and painters, and artists cannot give full play to their talent without Xuan paper," says Li.