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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

Chinese bookbinding, American bookmaking, papermaking

College

Harold B. Lee Library

Abstract

The Chinese hold their craftspersons in high esteem, likewise they treated me as a student craftsperson with respect and honor. My guide in downtown Beijing, near Heping Gate, Li Meiqi took me to the private offices of conservationists at work restoring centuries old books. Although we did not speak each other’s language we communicated through our craft. These kind and skilled people demonstrated their methods of conservation and bookmaking with tireless patience and we laughed at misunderstandings and compared our different and similar practices. It was interesting to find how similar our craft is across East to West though our cultures and languages are so different.

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