灘(tan)(tan)頭木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫是湖南省唯一(yi)的手工木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)水印年(nian)(nian)畫,以濃郁的楚南地方特色自成(cheng)一(yi)派。灘(tan)(tan)頭自古巫風熾盛,民(min)間(jian)祭祀活動甚(shen)為(wei)流行,用(yong)于祭祀的紙馬品種繁多,其制作工藝(yi)與后來的灘(tan)(tan)頭木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫有著內在(zai)的傳承關系(xi)。
據民(min)間口傳(chuan)歷史資料,灘(tan)頭(tou)(tou)最初的(de)木版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)作坊(fang)是明(ming)末清(qing)初時綽號“王猴子”的(de)王東元所辦,曾(ceng)印制過《秦叔寶》、《尉遲(chi)恭》等十余種年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)。清(qing)嘉慶(qing)年(nian)(nian)間,灘(tan)頭(tou)(tou)木版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)被稱為"五色紙(zhi)",列入貢品(pin)(pin)送往宮廷(ting)。清(qing)道光年(nian)(nian)間,灘(tan)頭(tou)(tou)和順昌老板胡(hu)奇甫(fu)繪制了《桃(tao)園三結義(yi)》、《花(hua)園贈珠》、《西湖借傘》等十幾種戲文故事新品(pin)(pin)種。同(tong)治年(nian)(nian)間,灘(tan)頭(tou)(tou)木版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)已行銷全國。據《寶慶(qing)府志》載,清(qing)同(tong)治國喪期(qi)間,曾(ceng)明(ming)令“禁止灘(tan)頭(tou)(tou)花(hua)紙(zhi)印行”,其在(zai)全國盛行可見一斑。
20世(shi)紀(ji)初,灘(tan)頭木版年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)產達到全盛,有年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)作(zuo)坊108家(jia),年(nian)(nian)產年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)三千多萬份,銷往江南各省(sheng)及東南亞(ya)一帶。當時(shi)(shi)著名的作(zuo)坊有正大昌(chang)(chang)、大生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)昌(chang)(chang)、大成(cheng)昌(chang)(chang)、道生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)和(he)(he)(he)、生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)成(cheng)昌(chang)(chang)、和(he)(he)(he)順(shun)昌(chang)(chang)、松榮祥、鐘良美、寶悅來、天(tian)順(shun)昌(chang)(chang)、義生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)和(he)(he)(he)等。當年(nian)(nian)的老街(jie)上,幾乎所有民居都是年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)和(he)(he)(he)土紙(zhi)加工的老作(zuo)坊。新(xin)中(zhong)國成(cheng)立后,灘(tan)頭木版年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)被(bei)當成(cheng)封(feng)建迷信品(pin)被(bei)禁止,致使(shi)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)產幾乎停頓(dun)。與(yu)此同時(shi)(shi),一批農民美術(shu)作(zuo)者脫穎而(er)出,當時(shi)(shi)為了配合形勢需要(yao),僅僅是在墻上畫(hua)些(xie)宣(xuan)傳畫(hua),如(ru):"豬比象大"、"玉米(mi)長得沖云(yun)霄"等。
1958年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),邵陽地(di)區在(zai)灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)召(zhao)開(kai)工(gong)(gong)業(ye)生產現場會,重新(xin)批(pi)準(zhun)灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生產。1963年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),為改造舊年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua),省群(qun)藝館(guan)組織(zhi)美(mei)術(shu)(shu)工(gong)(gong)作者創作了(le)《工(gong)(gong)農聯盟》、《擁(yong)軍優屬》新(xin)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)作品(pin)。文(wen)化大革命中,灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)被(bei)列為“四舊”,大量畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)付之一炬,有些版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)本就(jiu)此失(shi)傳。1979年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),應貴州商業(ye)部門(men)要(yao)求,灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)又恢(hui)(hui)復(fu)生產。1982年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)作坊(fang)恢(hui)(hui)復(fu)到(dao)12家,產銷量達140多萬張。1984年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),隆回縣被(bei)國家文(wen)化部命名為“中國現代民間(jian)繪畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)鄉(xiang)”。1985年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),邵陽市成(cheng)立了(le)“灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)研究會”,以隆回縣文(wen)化館(guan)為主對(dui)灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)進(jin)行挖掘、整理,并恢(hui)(hui)復(fu)刻印了(le)失(shi)傳的"托全(quan)"門(men)神《秦叔寶(bao)》、《尉遲恭(gong)》和《花園(yuan)贈珠》等印版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。1994年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),國家文(wen)化部舉辦“中國民產間(jian)美(mei)術(shu)(shu)一絕展”,灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)獲(huo)銀獎。2003年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),在(zai)中國首屆文(wen)物(wu)仿制品(pin)暨(ji)民間(jian)工(gong)(gong)藝品(pin)大展中,灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)獲(huo)中國傳統(tong)工(gong)(gong)藝品(pin)金獎。2006年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),灘(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)入選《第一批(pi)國家級(ji)非(fei)物(wu)質(zhi)文(wen)化遺產名錄》。
灘頭木(mu)版(ban)年畫(hua)從造紙到成品所(suo)有工(gong)(gong)序(xu)都(dou)在(zai)灘頭當(dang)地完成,形成了一個(ge)完善的生產(chan)系列(lie),這在(zai)全國(guo)年畫(hua)制作中(zhong)較為鮮見。在(zai)灘頭木(mu)版(ban)年畫(hua)的工(gong)(gong)藝中(zhong),蒸(zheng)紙、托膠、刷粉(fen)等傳(chuan)統工(gong)(gong)序(xu)均(jun)為灘頭所(suo)獨有,“開臉”也(ye)是有別于(yu)他處年畫(hua)的獨特技藝。
灘(tan)頭(tou)木版年(nian)畫(hua)印(yin)刷時的色(se)彩順序(xu)是:首先印(yin)黃色(se),再套印(yin)綠(lv)色(se)、蘭(lan)色(se)、橘紅色(se)、玫瑰紅色(se)、煤黑,最后開臉繪制眼珠(zhu)子、眉毛(mao)、胡須等20多道工(gong)序(xu)。
灘頭木(mu)版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)年(nian)畫的印(yin)(yin)版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)分線版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)和色版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)兩(liang)種(zhong)。線版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)也稱墨版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),老(lao)梨(li)木(mu)材(cai)質,長久不開裂、不變形,刻(ke)出的線條堅(jian)挺(ting)結實。色版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)是畫幅中(zhong)用得較多的一(yi)種(zhong),每種(zhong)色需要一(yi)塊版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),一(yi)般(ban)用楓木(mu)做(zuo)原料。楓木(mu)色版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)久用易變形,套印(yin)(yin)時會使(shi)色塊出現錯位(wei),使(shi)有的地方產生(sheng)飛白,這無意中(zhong)又產生(sheng)另一(yi)種(zhong)特殊的藝(yi)術(shu)(shu)效果(guo)。線版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)要由(you)技術(shu)(shu)高超的老(lao)師傅主刀(dao),在使(shi)用一(yi)定(ding)時間后(hou),線條變粗還要修(xiu)版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),以保證印(yin)(yin)刷質量;學徒只能刻(ke)色版(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。 ?
灘(tan)頭木版(ban)(ban)年畫(hua)制(zhi)(zhi)作工序獨特(te),特(te)別是粉(fen)紙(zhi)的(de)使用獨具特(te)色:在年畫(hua)印制(zhi)(zhi)之前,先在當地(di)加工的(de)土紙(zhi)表(biao)面(mian)刷(shua)一層白粉(fen)(取(qu)自本地(di)峽(xia)山(shan)口(kou)、沙(sha)坪一帶的(de)白膠泥),刷(shua)過白粉(fen)后的(de)土紙(zhi)在上色后色彩鮮明飽和,又顯穩(wen)重。年畫(hua)版(ban)(ban)采用當地(di)的(de)梨(li)木刻制(zhi)(zhi),印制(zhi)(zhi)采用木版(ban)(ban)套色和手繪結合的(de)方法,人物面(mian)部常(chang)常(chang)是手繪,即"開臉",面(mian)頰及嘴唇以(yi)紅色渲染(ran)描繪,胡須以(yi)寬(kuan)筆(bi)勾畫(hua),這(zhe)種(zhong)技法以(yi)神像畫(hua)最為(wei)典型。尉(wei)遲敬德(de)為(wei)典型的(de)灘(tan)頭門(men)神形象(xiang)(xiang),人物著戲曲舞(wu)臺裝束(shu),形象(xiang)(xiang)威猛又有(you)趣(qu),身邊常(chang)有(you)麒麟(lin)狀(zhuang)元(yuan)郎(lang)之類相(xiang)隨,這(zhe)一童(tong)子(zi)形象(xiang)(xiang)頗似利市仙宮(gong),雙手執"四季(ji)興(xing)隆(long)"。這(zhe)種(zhong)門(men)神不僅(jin)護佑平安,還(huan)有(you)恭喜發(fa)財(cai)之愿。
灘頭木版(ban)年畫(hua)的(de)制(zhi)版(ban)難度在(zai)于線(xian)板雕刻,在(zai)這(zhe)方面"高福昌"年畫(hua)作(zuo)坊(fang)的(de)"陡刀立線(xian)"技術(shu)很有名,其行刀角度一(yi)致,使用(yong)均(jun)勻的(de)暗(an)勁,轉(zhuan)折、交叉(cha)處穩當不亂(luan),完全靠感(gan)覺和技巧把握。 ?
從明(ming)末清初到民國初年,灘頭木版(ban)年畫逐步形(xing)成了自己獨特的(de)(de)(de)美術(shu)風(feng)格:艷麗、潤澤的(de)(de)(de)色彩,古拙、夸張(zhang)、飽(bao)滿、個性(xing)化的(de)(de)(de)造(zao)型(xing)方(fang)(fang)法,純正的(de)(de)(de)鄉(xiang)土材料和獨到的(de)(de)(de)工(gong)藝,使作品(pin)具有浮雕一(yi)(yi)般的(de)(de)(de)藝術(shu)效果。灘頭木版(ban)年畫從造(zao)紙原料的(de)(de)(de)選擇、紙張(zhang)的(de)(de)(de)制(zhi)造(zao)、刷(shua)底,到刻版(ban)、七次印刷(shua)、七次手繪,一(yi)(yi)張(zhang)年畫的(de)(de)(de)生產需要經過二十多道工(gong)序。從手工(gong)造(zao)紙到年畫成品(pin)都在一(yi)(yi)個地方(fang)(fang)生產,在全國年畫制(zhi)作中極為(wei)鮮見(jian)。
灘頭木版(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)分為(wei)神像(xiang)、寓意吉(ji)祥(xiang)、戲文故事(shi)三大類,無(wu)論是門神、故事(shi)或祝(zhu)福吉(ji)祥(xiang)等內容,都在(zai)小(xiao)小(xiao)的年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)上演繹得淋漓盡致。《老鼠娶親》、《秦叔寶和尉遲恭》、《和氣致祥(xiang)》,幾(ji)乎(hu)每幅年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)都流傳(chuan)著一(yi)個動(dong)人(ren)的故事(shi)。 ?
灘頭木版年畫用色奔放,橘(ju)紅(hong)色奪目,大色塊的橘(ju)紅(hong)、淡黃(huang)、玫瑰紅(hong)與群青、鈷藍、翠綠、煤黑等同類色、近似色搭配(pei),大小面積有機分局。線條流(liu)暢圓潤,細而富于力度,尤其是在刻畫人物眉毛(mao)、胡須、衣帶(dai)的飄(piao)動時,運(yun)動感(gan)強,裝飾味兒濃(nong)。
隨(sui)著工業(ye)現代化進程(cheng)對農(nong)耕(geng)文(wen)明的強烈沖(chong)擊,灘頭(tou)木(mu)版(ban)年(nian)畫的市場急劇萎縮。由于(yu)年(nian)畫作坊(fang)入(ru)不敷(fu)出,藝人(ren)(ren)們紛紛改行,原有技藝都(dou)已荒(huang)廢(fei)。老(lao)一輩的刻版(ban)高(gao)手相繼逝去,大量印版(ban)在文(wen)革中被焚毀、破(po)壞,部(bu)分藝術價(jia)值(zhi)較高(gao)的印版(ban)偷偷地被文(wen)物商(shang)人(ren)(ren)買走,甚(shen)至偷運出境,有的已失傳了。 ?
2007年(nian),在(zai)當地政府的協助下,一度(du)秘不示人的灘頭木版年(nian)畫(hua)作坊按照傳統儀式正式開門收徒,由(you)于當地一直恪守(shou)著“傳內不傳外”的祖訓,高臘(la)枚(mei)作坊招(zhao)收的學(xue)徒是鐘(zhong)海仙與高臘(la)枚(mei)老人的兩個(ge)兒子:鐘(zhong)石棉、鐘(zhong)建桐,而(er)金玉美作坊招(zhao)收的則是李咸陸老人的一個(ge)遠房親戚(qi)鄧子軍。
2008年,國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)非(fei)物質文(wen)化(hua)遺(yi)產傳承人鐘(zhong)海(hai)仙去(qu)世;2010年,同樣評為國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)非(fei)物質文(wen)化(hua)遺(yi)產傳承人的(de)李咸(xian)陸去(qu)世。文(wen)化(hua)傳承的(de)問題因兩(liang)位技藝高超的(de)民(min)間藝人的(de)去(qu)世頓(dun)時迫在(zai)眉睫。