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Part of the Studies in East Asian Librarianship series (and the Asian Library series Taipei). The book looks at Chinese traditional booking binding. Edward Martinique has a career I'd like to follow, he did an MA in Chinese and Chinese literature and then an MA in East Asian Librarianship and worked as the East Asian Librarian in a US university.
The book looks at the history of the development of changes in the format of books, and the development of flat books (largely inspired through Buddhism) in the Tang dynasty. Martinique goes into great detail about the processes and methods used in binding. In particular he saw Buddhism and the unity of China as leading to development in book binding styles.
It is notable that this book was published in 1983, as such he makes no reference to the books discovered at Mawangdui and instead makes much use of the Tunhuang manuscripts for his examples.
There is a very interesting section on the preservation of books in Ancient China. The sap of the Amur Cork tree was used as an Insecticide since the Han dyanasty. There is also a nice description of recommendations for a home library, how it should be upstairs and well ventalated but not subject to the elements, it even goes so far as to talk about the arrangement of bookcases. There was also a description from a 5th century text (Chia Ssu-hsieh/Jia si-xie 贾思勰Important arts for the people's welfare) about the importance of airing books.
He also discussed how the Chinese could repair books that had been water logged for up to 10 years! It is also worth noting that the boxes, or detachable covers, which protected Chinese books were much more effective than hard European bindings, they led to an increase of life of the book and less wear when reading.
All in all a short, but very interesting book.
The book looks at the history of the development of changes in the format of books, and the development of flat books (largely inspired through Buddhism) in the Tang dynasty. Martinique goes into great detail about the processes and methods used in binding. In particular he saw Buddhism and the unity of China as leading to development in book binding styles.
It is notable that this book was published in 1983, as such he makes no reference to the books discovered at Mawangdui and instead makes much use of the Tunhuang manuscripts for his examples.
There is a very interesting section on the preservation of books in Ancient China. The sap of the Amur Cork tree was used as an Insecticide since the Han dyanasty. There is also a nice description of recommendations for a home library, how it should be upstairs and well ventalated but not subject to the elements, it even goes so far as to talk about the arrangement of bookcases. There was also a description from a 5th century text (Chia Ssu-hsieh/Jia si-xie 贾思勰Important arts for the people's welfare) about the importance of airing books.
If book rolls are not unrolled (to be aired) after the passing of summer they are sure to be eaten by insects. Between the 15th of the 5th moon and the 20th of the 7th moon, book rolls must be unrolled and rolled three times. This should be done on a clear day, in a spacious room which is airy and cool. They should not be exposed to the sun, for the sun will burn the scrolls, giving them a brown colour moreover scrolls heated by the sun will quickly attract insects. Rainy and humid days should be especially avoided. If you take care of your book rolls in such a way they will last several centuries. (60)
He also discussed how the Chinese could repair books that had been water logged for up to 10 years! It is also worth noting that the boxes, or detachable covers, which protected Chinese books were much more effective than hard European bindings, they led to an increase of life of the book and less wear when reading.
All in all a short, but very interesting book.