This punishment was devised by the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. It was so cruel that prisoners, upon merely hearing its name, would rather choose death than endure it.
The Brutality of the “Paper Mask Torture”
This form of punishment was called “Tiē Jiā Guān” (貼家官), a name derived from traditional Chinese opera. In many theatrical performances, the opening act often features three actors playing the deities of Heaven, Earth, and Water, offering prayers and blessings to the audience. These actors wear masks, known as “Tiē Miàn Jù” (貼面具). Inspired by this, Zhu Yuanzhang devised a way to replace the masks with paper in his method of torture.
Some may wonder: how could a mere piece of paper kill a person? To understand the sheer brutality of this punishment, let’s examine the process.
Prisoners would have their hands and feet tightly bound, with their heads forcibly pulled backward. A piece of paper was then placed over their face and forehead while water was poured directly over their nose and mouth. Initially, only a single sheet of paper was used, but if the prisoner refused to confess, additional layers were applied. The more layers there were, the harder it became to breathe.
This method created an effect similar to drowning. The paper acted like a one-way valve, allowing exhalation but preventing inhalation. Executioners monitored the process carefully to avoid premature death. Despite its simplicity, this form of torture was an invisible form of execution. Its cruelty was considered no less than lingchi (凌遲, Death by a Thousand Cuts).
Historical records suggest that many prisoners were subjected to the Paper Mask Torture. Most died of suffocation when the fifth layer of paper was applied. After death, as the water evaporated, the paper left behind imprints on the victim’s face, giving the eerie illusion of a mask.
Due to its ruthless nature, this punishment proved highly effective. Many corrupt officials were exposed, and their fear of this method deterred them from further misconduct. However, over time, Paper Mask Torture evolved into a tool used in palace intrigues, completely deviating from Zhu Yuanzhang’s original purpose. This was something he never could have foreseen.
