The Technique of “Book Beating” in Traditional Chinese Book Conservation

Abstract Historic books are important vehicles for understanding the evolution of human civilisation. To preserve these precious historical materials, unremitting research and exploration has been carried out for thousands of years. The introduction of new concepts and technologies has led conservators to uphold different perspectives on traditional techniques and skills. “Book beating” (chuishu 捶书) is a very special, necessary step in the traditional conservation of ancient Chinese books. However, there is a lack of consensus about how the beating technique affects the structure and long-term stability of paper. In this article, we briefly introduce the origins and basic steps of book beating as well as the precautions required, taking into account the perspectives of conservators on book beating. We then discuss the similarities and differences between book beating and “beat paper”. Analysing a number of characteristics such as the beating strength, paper thickness, and tensile strength of the paper with or without the beating we will explore the pros and cons of book beating. Finally, we put forward some ideas for future research to provide theoretical guidance and support for the conservation of ancient books.