2 minute read
Zangmu
(Author’s Collection)
Zhangmu - camphor wood
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Cinnamomum camphora is a species of evergreen tree that is commonly known under the names camphor tree, camphor wood or camphor laurel. Camphor is easily extracted from this tree which occurs in China, Taiwan, and Japan. Camphor wood is used in Chinese furnishings not only for its beau9ful grain, but also because it acts as an insect repellant similar to aroma9c cedar in deterring moths (hence its wide use in storage trunks.)
It is na9ve to China south of the Yangtze River, Taiwan, southern Japan, Korea and Vietnam and is cul9vated for camphor and 9mber produc9on. The produc9on and shipment of camphor, in a solid, waxy form, was a major industry in Taiwan prior to and during the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945). It was used medicinally and was also an important ingredient in the produc9on of smokeless gunpowder and celluloid. Primi9ve s9lls were set up in the mountainous areas in which the tree is usually found. The wood was chipped; these chips were steamed in a retort, allowing the camphor to crystallize on the inside of a crystalliza9on box aIer the vapour had passed through a cooling chamber. (Camphor has the property of sublima9on which means it can pass from the solid state to the vapor without an intermediate liquid phase. This tendency to vaporise explains why it cannot be smelled on exterior surfaces exposed to the air but enclosed boxes and chests retain the odor almost indefinitely). It was then scraped off and sent to government-run factories for processing and sale. Camphor was one of the most lucra9ve of several important government monopolies under the Japanese.
The camphor tree was introduced to the con9guous United States around 1875. It has become naturalised in many southern states and has been declared a category one invasive species in Florida.
The fragrance of camphorwood made it desireable for making clothing dressers because of the scent’s ability to repel insects. That doesn’t explain its use for wri9ng slopes but it was used in Hong Kong for exactly that purpose. Not only is any box highly fragrant when the lid is raised but it can display wild and aOrac9ve figuring making it very decora9ve. (see facing page)
The fragrance immediately transports me back to my sickly childhood when mother would apply Vick’s vapor rub to clear the sinuses and assist sleep.
Slab cut Camphor wood showing buttery color and wild grain.
Writing box of wild grain camphorwood. Made in Canton c. 1820 for China trade export.
(Author’s Collection)
