In ancient times, writings were generally inscribed on bamboo strips; those using silk cloth were called 'paper.' Silk was expensive and bamboo heavy — neither was convenient. Cai Lun then conceived the idea of making paper from tree bark, hemp waste, old cloth, and fishnets.

蔡倫の直接の言葉は歴史記録に残されていない。

Inventors

Cai Lun

Cai Lun (c. 63-121 CE) was a court eunuch of China's Eastern Han dynasty who perfected the manufacture of paper from bark, hemp waste, old rags, and fishnets, presenting his invention to Emperor He in 105 CE. Known as 'Marquis Cai's paper,' his product was lighter than bamboo strips and cheaper than silk, transforming how humanity records and transmits knowledge.

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Cai Lun's Other Quotes

In the first year of Yuanxing [105 CE], he presented it to the throne. The Emperor praised his ability, and from that time on everyone adopted it; thus the world called it 'Marquis Cai's paper.'

No direct personal quotations by Cai Lun survive in the historical record.

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