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The invention of paper to write on was done much
earlier in China than in Europe. Thus, the technique to
make paper was much more advanced than in Europe. The
oldest fans in China are round, but during the Song
Dynasty 宋, the foldable type developed because it was very
comfortable to put it in the sleeves (the old Chinese
didn't know trouser pockets). Painted with oil colors,
paper fans and umbrellas could even withstand rain. |
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Paper was used to write on, to paint on and to fold
it to make things of a new shape. The most advanced art
of folding paper is the Japanese origami 折り紙. But also China knows this
technique and creates wonderful models of ships (left),
houses, animals and much more like the theatre figure on
the right. |
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One kind of paper art is the kite, that was only
copied by Europeans in the 18th century. The Chinese
kites can be very great and then have to be manoevered by
several people.
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Paper cutting (jianzhi 剪紙) is a very popular art all over China.
First, paper is painted with the colors of the object-to-be.
Cutting the whole shape out of the ground paper and
making the details, one gets whole sets of figures like
the zodiacal animals or heroes from popular tales. |
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Much more complicated is this object that shows two
of the Eight Fairies (Ba Xian 八仙),
accurately painted in different colors. Their names can
be read over their heads, cut in paper like the whole
background. |
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