Production of Yangcheng Tissue

The primary paper-making process involves multiple steps: selection, soaking, steaming, sun-drying, grinding, cutting, and forming—commonly known as the seventy-two processes. It generally goes like this: Interview with an Elderly Artisan: We collect mulberry bark from outside, soak it in the river, then sort it into bundles weighing three or four catties each. Next, we soak it in lime water to turn it white, steam it in a pot, After steaming, they're returned to the river to remove the lime and the red outer layer. They soak in the river for three days. After that, they're crushed in bamboo baskets. Once crushed, they're soaked in the river again for two days. Then they're scooped out and spread out in the river to dry. Once dried, they become the finished product—or rather, the semi-finished product.

Interview with Veteran Artisan: This is mulberry bark. After processing, it's submerged in the river to rinse clean. Then we pick out the sticks and impurities. After sorting, it's chopped into large pieces. Here we slice it. Once sliced, it's ready for the pulp machine. Interview with Veteran Artisan: Fill this trough with water, drop in the pulp, then place the felt and grid over it. After that, lay it on top like this. Now lower it down, scoop up the pulp, After air-drying, transfer the pulp to this surface. With a single sweep, spread it evenly. Lay each sheet flat, stacking them on the lower board. Once stacked, use this wooden lever to squeeze out the water. After squeezing, place the dry pulp on this fork. Interview with Veteran Craftsman: After squeezing out the water, we place it on this rack. We peel it off sheet by sheet and brush it onto the wall, smoothing it flat. Both men and women, even children, can do this work. After an hour, we peel it off, stacking each sheet neatly. Eighty sheets make one bundle.