https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-04433-z
Regular Article
Analysis of papermaking technology in selected Japanese woodblocks from Taisho period
1
Laboratory of Analysis and Non-Destructive Investigation of Heritage Objects, The National Museum in Krakow, Piłsudskiego 14, 31-109, Kraków, Poland
2
The Paper and Leather Conservation Studio, The National Museum in Kraków, Piłsudskiego 12, 31-109, Kraków, Poland
3
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, 13-43 Uenokoen, Taito City, 110-0007, Tokyo, Japan
Received:
8
October
2022
Accepted:
2
September
2023
Published online:
12
October
2023
This study focuses on the analysis of Japanese woodblock prints from the Taisho period, specifically copies of renowned artists such as U. Hiroshige, recently donated to the Far Eastern Art Department of the National Museum in Kraków by Jens Wiebel. The aim of this research is to investigate the paper production methods employed for these woodblocks by comparing them with the original works from the Feliks Jasieński collection, previously donated to the National Museum in Kraków in 1920. Advanced analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy were utilized for the analysis. These methods facilitated the identification of chemical compounds, such as silicon, chalk, mica, talc, gypsum, starch, cellulose, and protein, as well as elements like Ca, Si, Mg, Al, K, S, and Na, present in the paper structure or acting as fillers. The results revealed notable differences between the papers from the two collections and identified distinct features associated with prints from the Taisho period. Notably, the presence of rice flour and silicate fillers was observed in all examined items. Supplementary data obtained from this analysis can be utilized not only to establish the chronology and estimate the production time of the papers but also to enhance the current knowledge of papermaking methods, additives, and fillers employed during the era in question.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
