Whole, bast and core fibers of kenaf cultivar Tainung-2 were pulped under different pulping methods, thermomechanical and kraft pulping methods. The physical and optical properties of kenaf TMP(thermomechanical pulp) and KP(kraft pulp) handsheets were investigated and the results from the study are summarized as follows: Yields of TMP and KP were $77{sim}87%;and;43{sim}52%$, respectively. There was no significant change in apparent density between kenaf KP and USKP(unbleached softwood kraft pulp) but TMP showed a little lower apparent density. Bast pulp had the lowest apparent density regardless of pulping methods. Tensile strength of kenaf KP was higher than that of TMP but similar to that of USKP. Both TMP and KP handsheets of bast fraction showed the highest tear strengths among whole, bast, and core fractions. Core fraction showed the lowest tear strengths under different pulping methods. In general burst strength of kenaf pulp under different pulping methods was lower than that of USKP, and kenaf pulp had better stiffness than USKP. Brightness of kenaf KP and TMP was higher than that of USKP. There was no significant variation in opacity between kenaf pulp and USKP even though kenaf pulp showed a little lower opacity. The main difference in paper quality between the core fiber and bast fiber is derived from the fact that bast fiber is long and thin, whereas core fiber is short and thick.