Hsuan Paper

Hsuan paper is the world famous paper noted for its resistance to aging and deterioration. The paper was first produced in Hsuancheng, Anhwei province. Later hsuan paper became the pride of Taiwan and China. The paper is also called hsuan chih.

Over 30 different producers in Puli township of Nantou county, Taiwan, make hsuan paper, the world-famous paper used for Chinese painting and calligraphy. The paper actually comes from a special mulberry bark but recent researches indicate that these beautiful high quality hsuan papers can be made of pineapple leaf fibers.

Hsuan paper is soft and flexible, and has just the right degree of absorbency for Chinese brush-and-ink calligraphy and painting, so the art and the material complement each other superbly to produce optimal results. The paper is available in different sizes and thicknesses, and varying degrees of smoothness. Some kinds of hsuan paper contain a basket-weave pattern that can become visible and form part of the texture with dry ink application.