Early Print Technology in East Asia

Early Print Technology in East Asia

• Earliest print technology originated in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
• Hand printing system used initially
• China: Books printed by rubbing paper against inked woodblocks from 594 AD
• Accordion-style book format used due to limitations of printing both sides of thin paper
• Skilled craftsmen replicated calligraphy with high accuracy
• Imperial state was major print producer in China, funding numerous books, especially for civil service exams
• Demand for exam materials increased print production from the 16th century onwards

Print in China's Development

• 17th century saw print diversification, use extending beyond scholars
• Merchants used print for trade information; reading became leisure activity
• Women, including wives of officials and courtesans, started writing and publishing
• Popular genres included fiction, poetry, anthologies, autobiographies, and romantic plays
• Late 19th century saw introduction of Western printing techniques, shifting from hand printing to mechanical presses.
• Shanghai became a hub for this new print culture catering to western-style schools.

Print in Japan

• Buddhist missionaries introduced hand printing to Japan (768-770 AD)
• Diamond Sutra (868 AD) is oldest known Japanese printed book; composed of text & illustrations
• In medieval Japan, publishing was widespread, books were cheap and abundant
• Printed images were used for textiles, playing cards, and paper money
• 18th century saw illustrated collections in Edo (Tokyo) showcasing urban culture (artists, teahouses, courtesans)
• Books covered diverse topics: Women, tea ceremonies, locations, cooking, musical instruments, and calculations
• Kitagawa Utamaro (Edo, 1753) famously depicted urban life in his ukiyo-e prints, influencing Western artists (Monet, Manet, Van Gogh)

Print in Korea

• Mid-13th century: Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of Buddhist scriptures, engraved on ~80,000 woodblocks

Explore the origins and evolution of printing technologies in East Asia, focusing on the initial hand printing systems established in China, Japan, and Korea. This quiz covers key developments from the ancient book formats to the diversification of print in the 17th century. Discover how print impacted society and culture during these transformative periods.