The print culture was initially started in East Asia. Later, it spread all over India and European countries.
The First Printed Books
Print culture was primarily developed in China, Japan and Korea. Initially, print were produced by writing. Later, from 594 AD, in China, books were printed by rubbing paper against an inked woodblock. This block contains words and symbols carved on it. Paper was thin, hence, it was difficult to use both sides of paper for printing. Therefore, traditional chinese book Accordion book was folded and sewed at the side. To print these book a skilled craftsmen having beautiful writing i.e. calligraphy were used. However, for long time China was major producer of printed materials. In China recruitment was based on civil services examination. Thus, books were printed on large scale. The volume of print increased with number of people appearing civil services examinations. Later, by the seventeenth century, print culture in china was more diversified. Merchant used prints for trade information. Fictional narrations, poetry, autobiographies, anthologies were printed. It become the leisure activity to read such printed material. Later in nineteenth century the western people introduced western printing techniques and mechanical press in china. Shanghai was the centre for western print culture. It also, served for need of western schools in China.
Print culture in Japan
Print culture in Japan
Around 768-770 AD, Buddhist Missionaries from China introduced Hand Printing in Japan. Diamond sutra was the first book printed which contained six sheets of text and woodcut illustrations. Pictures were printed on cloth , playing cards and paper money. Later in middle age books were published by writers and poets of Japan. These books were cheap and abundant for reading. Picture prints were an interesting publishing practices. Later in eighteenth century, printed paintings were presented by urban cultures. Such paintings showed artists, courtesans and teahouse gatherings. Printed books of various types like books on women, musical instruments, calculations, tea ceremony, etc were flooded in libraries and in bookstores.
Print culture in Europe
Print Culture in Europe
Around eleventh century, chinese paper travelled in europe through silk routes. This paper was used for writing manuscripts. At this time, Marco Polo travelled to China to learn woodblock printing technique. In 1295 he returned back to Italy and introduced this technique to Italy. This lead to initiation of printing of books in Italy. Later this technique spread all over the Europe. This technique, also facilitated luxury editions of handwritten vellum. Rich people used these vellum as they believed paper as cheap material. Merchants and students used printed books. All these lead to rise of demand for books all over europe. Book fairs were organised for selling more and more books. Growth in print culture improved the production of hand written manuscript. Wealthy people and book sellers employed skilled handwriters for writing books. Drawback of handwritten books was, these books were not able to meet increasing demands, also, cost of copying book was more. To produce more copies of book took more time, and these books were difficult to carry everywhere. All these drawbacks of hand print made wood block technique more popular. In Europe woodblock print was used for textile, playing cards, religious pictures. This technique made possible to print large number of copies with less efforts and cost.
Print culture in India
Late till nineteenth century, handwritten manuscripts were written in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian language. Manuscripts were copied on palm leaves or on handmade paper, and were sewed and covered with wooden cover in order to preserve it. Manuscripts were difficult to handle and were easily breakable. At mid of sixteenth century, Portuguese missionaries brought the first printing press in Goa. till 1674 about 50 books in Konkani and Kanara language were published by Jesuit priests. Catholic priest printed first tamil book. In 1713 they printed first Malayalam book. In 1710, Dutch protestant missionaries printed about 32 tamil books, many of them were translation of older books. English printing started in Indian print culture in 1780 . James Augustus Hickey published English magazine “Bengal Gazette” as a commercial paper. Later this paper was banned by East India Company. Later, by the start of eighteenth century, many newspaper and journals were published.
Keywords: Print culture and modern world, First printed books, Print in Japan, Print in Europe, Woodblock printing, Manuscripts, Print in India
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