Today I do the third section of Week 1.
Binding Styles
In this activity, we will explore the main book-binding methods and some less common ones.
[1.8] Main Binding Methods 1 - Scroll
[1.9] Main Binding Methods 2 - Accordion Binding
[1.10] Main Binding Methods 3 - Detchousou
[1.11] Main Binding Methods 4 - Tetsuyousou
[1.12] Main Binding Methods 5 - Fukurotoji
[1.13] Less Common Binding Methods
[1.14] Identify the Binding (Quiz)
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[1.8] Main Binding Methods 1 - Scroll
Traditional bookmaking methods in Japan were were first invented in China, coming into Japan in successive waves much like Kanji pronunciations.
Printing was more widespread in China and Korea compared to Japan. In Japan, literacy was limited and distances were shorter, so printing was reserved for Buddhist monks.
It was because of printing being more widespread, binding methods suited to printed books were mostly for sake of efficiency, since publishing is a form of mass production. Japanese binding methods were more varied since printing and literacy weren't as widespread. There was no need to be concerned about efficiency so varieties of formats and binding methods were permissable, according to content and aim of each book.
I would say the scroll would be cumbersone. It would be hard to just hold the scroll right out in front of you, especially with having to progress through the book and there being a risk of tearing or similar risks. One is best reading a scroll on top of a flat surface.
For the five main binding methods, the first three have their sheets bound with glue, with the latter two with thread or string. The latter three are codex-style formats, and called soushi. Formats III and IV have writing on both sides usually, but not so for I and II, although I don't know how it would be possible at all in the first place for I, especially depending on how the individual scroll is made. No word on V.
The anatomy of the scroll:
The dowel that makes the hassou, the long, thin half-moon shaped bamboo dowel, is called a takehigo.
One advantage a scroll has over the codex is that the viewing area is larger, which makes it better for illustrations, charts and diagrams. A drawback is one can't just go to the section or "page", one has to scroll through.
One reads a scroll by rolling up the opening end, starting with the osaedake, and moving the scroll to keep the desired text right in front of the reader. It seems like one keeps the rolled front end the same width as the end with the jikugashira. Of course this wouldn't be possible as one gets closer to the end of the book.
The counting unit for this is called 'jiku'.
[1.9] Main Binding Methods 2 - Accordion Binding
II. Orihon (concertina or accordion-style binding)
Orihon looks like a precursor to the codex proper. And it is a little better than the scroll, since there was no need to rewind an orihon, and since one can read an orihon even with both hands not holding it down. One can either open up an orihon completely like a scroll, or open up a particular section like a proper codex. However with the folded creases, using the orihon format for illustrations was not favorable.
Because like the scroll, the orihon has larger page area and can still be read with both hands off, the orihon is still used for calligraphy manuals. I wouldn't know honestly about calligraphy manuals.
II-a. Orijou
The orijou is an orihon, but with thicker paper. The thicker paper is achieved with two sheets pasted together, and is too thick to be rolled up in a scroll. The thick paper allowed pasting on various other things.
II-b. Gajousou
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Although China and Korea may have created the codex, and similar formats to best fit mass-printing, Japan's lack of widespread literacy in the past may have been a blessing in disguise, in the fact that other bookmaking formats were created to serve a variety of purposes. Especially in orihon still being used today, which speaks of its practical usefulness, despite not being the codex which is the format mainly used today.
[1.10] Main Binding Methods 3 - Detchousou
III. Detchousou (oriental style binding)
This book binding method was achieved by folding sheets in the middle, stacking them on top of each other, and pasting near the folds. To be more precise, according to the video the folded leaves are glued to each other side by side. This method was brought to Japan by Kukai, from the books he brought back from China. This format had weaknesses, such as the glue being prone to coming off easily, and the books themselves being vulnerable to being eaten by insects. The shinamushi lay their eggs on detchousou books and the larvae feed on the parts with the glue, which is most nutritious. So by the Kamakura era this method mostly fell out of use, save for the Shingon sect which continues to use it to the modern day. Possibly due to Shingon being Kukai's sect and continuing to use detchousou out of tradition.
The detchousou is probably the oldest codex-style binding.
What attracts the shimi and other bugs, like shiba(n)mushi, that feed on the detchousou?
[1.11] Main Binding Methods 4 - Tetsuyousou
IV. Tetsuyousou ("multisection" binding)
Also known as retsujousou, tetchousou, or retchousou. It was also called Yamato-toji because the format is closely associated with Japan, and was initially believed to have been developed in Japan, until the discovery of pre-Tang books in China.
The format used mostly hishi, and specially made choshi.
It is similar to the detchousou, but instead the sheets are stacked on top of each other, five sheets per stack, and folded. More stacks are added, and with holes opened near the creases, and the covers are then added, with threads passed through the holes to bind the stacks of sheets and covers together.
[1.12] Main Binding Methods 5 - Fukurotoji
V. Fukurotoji ("bound-pocket" or "pouch" binding)
The sheets are folded in two, crease-side out, stacked on top of each other, and fastened using paper strips called koyori, and covers are added and all is bound together using thread.
Only one side was written on, so usually thin paper was used.
Books bound in this style but are without covers are called Karitojibon ("semi-bound" books).
A variant of fukurotoji where the folding is done at the bottom of the sheet and the binding is done at the right side is called nagachou-toji (wide-page binding).
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I think I'll complete the rest of Week 1 tomorrow.
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