Fishtail Patterns

bk27_pg017v.jpg
bk27_pg017r.jpg

Kija chi or Stories of Gija, Call No. 27, pgs. 017 recto & verso

bk29_vol1_pg004v.jpg
bk29_vol1_pg004r.jpg

Haedong myongjang chon or Eminent Generals of Korea, Call No. 29 Vol 1, pgs. 004 recto & verso

bk32_vol1_pg030v.jpg
bk32_vol1_pg030r.jpg

[Sinjung] Tongguk yoji sungnam or Revised and Enlarged Survey of the Geography of Joseon, Call No. 32 Vol 1, pgs. 030 recto & verso

bk32_vol3_pg021v.jpg
bk32_vol3_pg021r.jpg

[Sinjung] Tongguk yoji sungnam or Revised and Enlarged Survey of the Geography of Joseon, Call No. 32 Vol 3, pgs. 021 recto & verso

Fishtail patterns were used in printmaking in order to distinguish the middle section of the sheet. This allowed the book maker to properly fold the sheet along the center.

Source: Minah Song (2009) The history and characteristics of traditional
Korean books and bookbinding, Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32:1, 53-78, DOI: 10.1080/19455220802630743

Fishtail Patterns