Members of the Lai clan in Nghe Village, Nghia Do, Hanoi once provided the royal court with about 2,000 sheets of ordinance paper each year, These papers were used by monarchs to issue ordinances for mandarins and, more importantly, for titular gods. The ordinances were placed on altars in communal temples and dedicated to gods on behalf of the king.
Ordinance papers were classified as titular ordinances or mandarin ordinances. They dealt with mandarins at both the local and national levels and with people who had made great contributions to the country.
Several years ago, when Mr. Lai Phu Ban passed away, many people feared thatthe craft of making ordinance papers had died with him. But in 2008, Mr. Ban’s son, Mr. Lai Phu Thach, revived the craft, which was last praciced 70 years ago. He was motivated by a desire to honor his family’s history, rather than the goal to make money.
Ordinance paper from the Lai clan have two side : one bearing a dragon with a seal and the other bearing four sacred animals. A paper sheet measuring 120 to 130cm long, and 55 to 60cm wide costs about four million dongs. This high price buys incredible durability and quality. These paper can last for centuries if they are store in dry place. The paper is tough, yes silky smooth, spongy, moisture-proof and resistant to rot.
The production process was a carefull guarded secret, passed down orally throuth the generation. Producers need dó tree bark, or more precisely Thao dó bark (grown in Lam Thao, Phu Tho). The technical is similar to that of making other dó paper, but requires greater care and some additional techniques. Dó tree bark is soaked in cold water for three days and lime water for two days. The bark is then place in a tank until it rots. The outer layer is removed and the bark is carefully pounded in a mortar.
The next step, call “seo”, was typically performed by women. Molds were used to process the paper. The wood used for these molds could not warp when exposed to and wether. Three to five artisans were needed to produce each sheet of ordinance paper. Cloths are spread on wet paper and turned upside down onto the pile of processed paper (called uốn). When the pile is finished, it is squeezed. Sheets are then removed, one at a time, and dried in a furnace.
The last step is to decorate the ordinance paper with four sacred animals. Each decorative pattern is plated is fine gold leaf. This step requires great skill. An old saying states:
“ Nghia Do maidens have long had reputations
For making royal ordinance papers”.
All being well, Mr. Thach will follow in the footstep of his ancestors to retain this precious tradition.
Writer: Nam Anh
Photo: An Thanh Dat, Thai A
First post on VietnamCp.com
Priceless Paper
First post at: Vietnam Culture
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