Carved Gatehouse in the Sunlight: The Memory of Ancient Wuyi Residential Buildings

Author: Xiao Chunlei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features:
Preface: Even the best house is built from ordinary materials like stones, bricks, yellow clay, and wood. They were once unaware and silently decayed. By chance, they fell into the hands of skilled craftsmen, who meticulously organized and adorned them, thus raising a space filled with human warmth on the earth. A house is a home, sheltering from wind and rain, protecting against fierce beasts, and guarding our deep sleep each night. We must return as many times as we leave. A good house lasts longer than our lives. Sometimes, a dark roof covers the lives of (unclear term, possibly "several generations") of a family. Generations flow like water, but the house remains, stirring us with mixed emotions. Good old houses usually have solid foundations and thick beams and pillars because they must fight against time and thus must be strong. Good old houses are attentive to our bodies, precisely considering lighting, ventilation, drainage, food, daily life, guest reception, privacy, and other human needs because they are meant for living. Good old houses pay attention to the decoration and beauty of elements like door arches, window lattices, brackets, and brackets because they reflect the owner's status and good cultivation. Good old houses are always connected to their builders, craftsmen, and residents, with the breath of humanity permeating every plank and tile. I am not an expert in ancient architecture, so the book rarely discusses the construction details and forms of ancient residential buildings. I observe and reflect as a writer. To me, an old house is a culturally profound phenomenon. I describe the history, legends, customs, lifestyles, and concepts surrounding the residential buildings. About four or five years ago, I developed an interest in Fujian local culture. My hometown is in Nanping, so I focused mainly on the rural culture of northern Fujian, compiling a manuscript titled "Glimpses of North Fujian." Today, northern Fujian was mostly part of northern Fujian and a small part of western Fujian in the past, so I also paid close attention to northern and western Fujian. I am grateful to the Fujian Fine Arts Photography Press and the Haichao Photography Art Publishing House for inviting me to write this book about ancient residential buildings in northern Fujian. The series editor and photographer Qu Liming accompanied me on interviews to various places, and his dedication deeply impressed me. The ten or so ancient villages covered in this book are very scattered, so I had to respond in a disorganized essay style. The material determined the format of this book.——For readers, it is a blessing, as it is relatively light. We might pause to ask about the storms it has weathered and gaze deeply at the weathered years on its body. Ancient residential buildings are worth reading as great books. Data shows that residential buildings are one of the largest types of ancient architecture in China. Fujian's residential architecture is an integral part of China's residential architecture. Fujian-style residential buildings have enriched the artistic treasury of China's residential architecture with their distinctive features. The publication of this series, I think, will naturally draw people's attention to ancient residential buildings in Fujian once again. In fact, it is also necessary to pay a solemn visit to the ancient residential buildings across Fujian throughout history. I hope the publication of this series will help people recognize Fujian's ancient residential buildings, understand their vicissitudes and beauty, and recognize their enduring value. I even hope it will help remind people of the importance of protecting ancient residential buildings. Fujian's ancient residential buildings are undoubtedly a valuable cultural heritage. They belong not only to Fujian and the Chinese nation but also to all of humanity.