Restoration Techniques for Ancient Books

Written by Tong Zhizhen, a senior conservation expert at Shanghai Classics Publishing House, "Ancient Book Restoration Techniques" is a professional work that combines academic depth with practical guidance. The book systematically outlines the technical system of traditional Chinese ancient book restoration, from paper identification and paste preparation to damage treatment and binding restoration, with detailed illustrations and text for every step—a veritable "operating manual" in the field of ancient book restoration. Drawing on more than forty years of restoration experience, Tong Zhizhen transforms ancient book restoration from a craft passed down through master-apprentice instruction into a scientific method that can be recorded and transmitted; this construction of a knowledge system is itself of significant value. Particularly impressive is the book's dialectical discussion of the principle of "restoring the old as old"—restoration is not simple reconstruction but the extension of an ancient book's life under the premise of minimal intervention, which reflects a profound understanding of the authenticity of cultural relics. When reading, it is recommended to focus on Chapter 3, "Treatment of Paper Damage," and Chapter 6, "Analysis of Restoration Cases": the former demonstrates the technical wisdom of restorers facing complex problems such as insect damage, mold, and acidification, while the latter reveals the thinking process behind restoration decisions through actual cases. Although the book is highly technical, the author uses plain language to break down complex processes clearly and understandably, so that even non-specialists can appreciate the refinement of traditional craftsmanship. Against the current background of growing attention to ancient book conservation, this book provides practitioners with a reliable technical reference and opens a window for general readers to understand cultural heritage preservation work.