Appreciating Nanzih Tianhou Temple / 楠梓天后宮 漫漫歲月細細雕琢
◎Text by Ya-Ting Hou ◎Photos by Chung-Hui Pao
The Kaohsiung Cultural Heritage Committee approved the Nanzih Tianhou Temple as being the 22nd relic in the City of Kaohsiung in April this year. The Tianhou Temple is able to be preserved largely because of the collaborative efforts of the local residents who wish to cherish their cultural heritage.
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs indicated that the Zuoying and Cijin areas are considered to be the earliest developed areas in the history of Kaohsiung. In fact, the 200-year old Nanzih Tianhou Temple proves that the Nanzih area was among the earliest developed areas within the city. Dating back to the Ching Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Chien-Lung, it is documented that the Nanzih Tianhou Temple had served as the main transportation center for Fongshan County, Cishan Township and Gangshan Township, as well as being the main depot for imported goods.
Mr. Sheng-Tong Lin, the local art researcher, was drewn by the architecture of the temple, and ever since then, he has immersed himself in studying the arts and history of the temple. At one time, the board of the Nanzih Tianhou Temple had once thought to tear town the temple. Through solid research, Mr. Lin was able to convince the board members of the Nanzih Tianhou Temple that it is not only a valuable temple worth preserving, but it should be listed as a relic by the whole of Taiwan. The level of awareness between the community and the board members of the temple's historical significance, has finally ensured the preservation of this local cultural heritage.
The Nanzih Tianhou Temple amazingly remains intact in terms of its walls, the wooden sculptures, the Koji Pottery and the brick sculptures. The temple won wide acclaim for its architecture, the use of material, and the techniques involved as well as its aesthetic value.
The temple displays fine craftsmanship. By taking a close look at the San-chuan Gate, the main gate, one will enjoy the art of the stone sculpture, wooden sculpture, brick sculpture and Koji Pottery. Among those impressive art works, Koji Pottery is perhaps the most impressive of all the works. The two figures of children behind behind the San-Chuan Gate vividly demonstrate the craftsmanship of Koji Pottery. Modern pottery can also be found there while the preserved brick sculpture, can be considered to be a rare decoration.
The temple comprises the front hall and the back hall, and both of them display different architectural styles. The front hall is relatively more complicated than the back hall. On the other hand, unlike the front hall, the back hall does not display the goddess within the temple, thus the interior appears to be of a more simplified style. Yet, the overall structure and design seem quite distinguished.
The arts of the Nanzih Tianhou Temple may win admiration from many; however, it is due to the local residents' devotion and passion that the temple has become part of their daily lives.
◎文/王雅湘 ◎攝影/鮑忠暉
楠梓天后宮於今年4月通過高雄市文化資產審議委員會實勘審議,一致認為楠梓天后宮深具歷史、文化與藝術價值,被指定為市定古蹟,是高雄市第22個古蹟,更特別的是它是由當地民眾發起,珍愛文化資產的具體行動。
高雄市文化局表示,過去高雄早期開發的地區,大多會集中在左營及旗津;其實楠梓地區也開發甚早,具有二百餘年歷史的楠梓天后宮即為最佳見證。楠梓天后宮於清乾隆年間即有正式歷史文獻記載,是府縣的交通要道,為鳳山、旗山、岡山三地的交會點以及貨運集散地,楠梓天后宮見證楠梓坑地區之歷史發展。
楠梓地區的文史工作者林勝童,五年前因研究後勁溪而接觸到該廟,發現其深具歷史價值與藝術特色,從此,他開始研究起天后宮的一磚一瓦,懾服在這些傳統建築藝術之美。 當時,楠梓天后宮管理委員會一度傳出有拆除改建的聲音,林勝童經長期與廟方溝通,並透過深入研究證明該廟在文化資產上的價值,終於獲得天后宮所有委員的支持,同意提報為古蹟,也建立民間自發性保存文化資產的最佳範例。
廟宇主體結構如牆身、木雕、交趾陶、磚雕等工藝,均保留構築原貌,而建築本體材料、工法及藝術美學極富特色。
廟內展現許多匠師的精湛手藝,屋頂的剪黏裝飾、三川門上的石雕、木雕,磚雕與交趾陶燒及馬背山牆的懸魚花草、規帶間的紋飾作收等,具有高度的藝術價值。
交趾陶是楠梓天后宮予人最印象深刻的藝術創作,三川門對牆的兩位童子即為其代表,後殿對牆上的「南極仙翁」與「麻姑獻瑞」交趾灰塑立體突出,表情鮮明,令人印象深刻。而兩面磚紅的牆面上雕有水車圖,則是以現代陶藝的手法裝飾。另外,廟宇內還保有少見的磚雕。
前殿與後殿的建築風格不同,前殿較為繁複,後殿由於非主神明所在,所以不論在屋頂型式或者裝飾都要比前殿更為簡潔,而內部的樑構設計也巧具心思。
這一座經典之作除了許多匠師的工藝之外,還有當地民眾無私的奉獻與關注地方歷史與傳承的這一群人,才得以讓它的故事流傳。