Shui Mu Qing Jia: Rui'an Architectural Cultural Heritage

Author: Li Ren / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Architecture is a part of culture. The production, development, and changes of various architectural styles are all influenced and constrained by local culture. Rui'an was an ancient important town in the southern part of the water towns of Jiangnan, located at the junction of the Yue and Min cultures, occupying a corner of the coast of the East China Sea. Compared to other cultural hubs in Jiangnan such as Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Hu, Rui'an's prosperity was far less dazzling, while its cultural gathering during the Southern Song Dynasty was comparable, and its beautiful landscapes surpassed them. As the southern part of the Jiangnan cultural circle, Rui'an was inevitably influenced by the radiation of the core area of Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Hu, but due to its relatively marginalized position, it retained a calm and composed perspective, embodying the cultural characteristics of an Ouyue representative city. Throughout its long development, Rui'an was deeply influenced by Min culture. After Wenzhou was opened to foreign trade in modern times, foreign cultures were introduced, making it more inclusive and open. However, the accumulation of millennia of cultural heritage and the spirit of the Yongjia School remained deeply embedded, unchanged by changes in region, culture, or era, and were materialized in the local customs and vernacular architecture of Rui'an. The rise of the late Qing New Learning added a touch of openness, naturalness, and vitality to traditional culture, and its vernacular architecture was also influenced by the winds of Western culture, creating a moment of convergence. In Ouyue culture, architecture still remained within the framework of the two thousand-year-old wooden pavilions and towers, but due to the influence of the geographical environment, the people here possessed a talent for working with stone. The history of building with stones and processing stone materials can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, from the stone sheds in Rui'an to Guo Pu's stone-built White Deer City, from the Nange Archway Group in the Song Dynasty to the ancient villages along the Nanxi River and the luxurious Jiangnan mansion, the Yuhai Tower. The people here also possessed a talent for building with brick and wood, and ancient buildings were scattered along the Ou River, Feiyun River, Nanxi River, and Qing River. Although these buildings were not the mainstream of architectural culture, they revealed a vibrant beauty of architectural culture. Here, there was a solid foundation of scholar-official thought, a wealth of foreign influences, and the extraordinary creativity of skilled craftsmen, making it a magnificent gem blooming in the garden of Chinese architecture. The existing vernacular architecture in Rui'an may lack grandeur and the imposing of the pavilions and temples left from the Tang and Song dynasties, but its elegant, compact, and water-side style reflects the unique charm of the small, exquisite gardens of Jiangnan water towns. These buildings, shaped under the influence of Yongjia culture, have their own rich and distinctive features in form, technology, and art, reflecting the inheritance and integration of the modern with the ancient. In the early 1990s of the 20th century, I studied at the Department of Architecture at Southeast University, specializing in the preservation and research of ancient architecture. After returning to Rui'an, I engaged in the preservation of ancient architecture for over a decade. During this time, Rui'an city went through a "transition period full of contradictions and self-harm," and our ancient homeland was gradually eroded. Faced with the rapid development of urbanization, what could I do? I was born and raised here, and I was familiar with Rui'an's architecture. It is my mission to protect our land, my profession to inherit architectural culture, and my direction to research and preserve. Faced with the gaps in the study of Rui'an's vernacular architecture and the disappearance of large areas of ancient buildings, ancient villages, ancient castles, and ancient sites, my sense of crisis grew stronger, and a sense of responsibility as a cultural relic worker arose. I believe that during this transition period, we must accurately record the historical landscape of the city, rescue Rui'an's ancient architectural heritage, and protect our shared "source," restoring the Rui'an of clear waters and lush trees. The editing of this book was greatly supported by my mentor, Mr. Zhu Guangya, and his students. The book uses text, photographs, and survey drawings to reflect Rui'an's cultural heritage—its ancient architecture, which has both shared and high academic value, for people to appreciate and study together. May our efforts preserve these remaining ancient architectural heritages of the city and pass them on to future generations. P1