灘頭(tou)木(mu)版(ban)年畫(hua)(hua)是湖(hu)南(nan)省唯一的(de)手工木(mu)版(ban)水印年畫(hua)(hua),以濃(nong)郁的(de)楚南(nan)地方特色(se)自成一派。灘頭(tou)自古(gu)巫風熾盛,民間祭(ji)祀活(huo)動甚為(wei)流行,用(yong)于祭(ji)祀的(de)紙馬(ma)品種繁多,其制作工藝與(yu)后來(lai)的(de)灘頭(tou)木(mu)版(ban)年畫(hua)(hua)有著內在的(de)傳承關系。
據民間(jian)口傳歷(li)史(shi)資料,灘頭(tou)(tou)最初(chu)的(de)木(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)畫作坊是明(ming)末清(qing)初(chu)時綽(chuo)號“王猴子”的(de)王東元所(suo)辦,曾印(yin)制過《秦叔寶》、《尉遲(chi)恭》等十余種(zhong)年(nian)畫。清(qing)嘉慶年(nian)間(jian),灘頭(tou)(tou)木(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)畫被稱為"五色紙",列(lie)入貢品(pin)送往(wang)宮(gong)廷。清(qing)道(dao)光年(nian)間(jian),灘頭(tou)(tou)和順昌(chang)老板胡(hu)奇甫(fu)繪制了(le)《桃園(yuan)三結(jie)義》、《花園(yuan)贈(zeng)珠(zhu)》、《西(xi)湖借傘》等十幾種(zhong)戲文故事新品(pin)種(zhong)。同治年(nian)間(jian),灘頭(tou)(tou)木(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)畫已行銷全國(guo)。據《寶慶府志》載,清(qing)同治國(guo)喪期間(jian),曾明(ming)令“禁止灘頭(tou)(tou)花紙印(yin)行”,其在全國(guo)盛行可見一斑(ban)。
20世(shi)紀初,灘頭木版(ban)年畫生(sheng)產(chan)達(da)到(dao)全盛,有年畫作(zuo)(zuo)坊(fang)108家(jia),年產(chan)年畫三千多萬(wan)份,銷往(wang)江南(nan)各省及東南(nan)亞一帶。當時(shi)著名的(de)(de)作(zuo)(zuo)坊(fang)有正大(da)(da)(da)昌(chang)(chang)、大(da)(da)(da)生(sheng)昌(chang)(chang)、大(da)(da)(da)成昌(chang)(chang)、道生(sheng)和(he)、生(sheng)成昌(chang)(chang)、和(he)順昌(chang)(chang)、松榮(rong)祥、鐘良美、寶悅來(lai)、天順昌(chang)(chang)、義生(sheng)和(he)等(deng)。當年的(de)(de)老街(jie)上,幾乎(hu)所有民居都是年畫和(he)土紙加(jia)工(gong)的(de)(de)老作(zuo)(zuo)坊(fang)。新中國成立后,灘頭木版(ban)年畫被(bei)當成封建迷信品被(bei)禁止,致使年畫生(sheng)產(chan)幾乎(hu)停(ting)頓。與此同時(shi),一批(pi)農(nong)民美術作(zuo)(zuo)者脫穎而出,當時(shi)為了配合(he)形勢需要,僅僅是在墻上畫些宣傳畫,如:"豬(zhu)比象大(da)(da)(da)"、"玉米(mi)長得沖云霄"等(deng)。
1958年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),邵陽地(di)區在(zai)(zai)灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)召開(kai)工(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)業(ye)生產(chan)現場會(hui)(hui),重(zhong)新批(pi)準灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)生產(chan)。1963年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),為(wei)改(gai)造舊年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua),省群藝(yi)(yi)館組織美術(shu)(shu)工(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)作者創作了(le)《工(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)農聯盟》、《擁軍(jun)優屬》新年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)作品。文(wen)(wen)化(hua)大(da)革命(ming)中(zhong),灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)被列(lie)為(wei)“四舊”,大(da)量(liang)(liang)畫(hua)(hua)版(ban)(ban)付之(zhi)一(yi)炬,有些版(ban)(ban)本(ben)就此(ci)失(shi)傳(chuan)(chuan)。1979年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),應貴州商(shang)業(ye)部門要求,灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)又恢(hui)復(fu)(fu)生產(chan)。1982年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)作坊(fang)恢(hui)復(fu)(fu)到12家(jia),產(chan)銷量(liang)(liang)達140多萬張。1984年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),隆回縣被國(guo)(guo)家(jia)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)部命(ming)名(ming)為(wei)“中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)現代(dai)民間(jian)繪畫(hua)(hua)畫(hua)(hua)鄉”。1985年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),邵陽市成立了(le)“灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)研究會(hui)(hui)”,以隆回縣文(wen)(wen)化(hua)館為(wei)主對灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)進(jin)行(xing)挖掘(jue)、整理,并(bing)恢(hui)復(fu)(fu)刻(ke)印了(le)失(shi)傳(chuan)(chuan)的"托全(quan)"門神(shen)《秦叔(shu)寶》、《尉遲恭(gong)》和《花(hua)園(yuan)贈珠》等印版(ban)(ban)。1994年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),國(guo)(guo)家(jia)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)部舉辦“中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)民產(chan)間(jian)美術(shu)(shu)一(yi)絕(jue)展”,灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)獲銀獎。2003年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),在(zai)(zai)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)首(shou)屆文(wen)(wen)物(wu)仿制品暨民間(jian)工(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)藝(yi)(yi)品大(da)展中(zhong),灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)獲中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)傳(chuan)(chuan)統(tong)工(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)藝(yi)(yi)品金獎。2006年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),灘(tan)(tan)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)木(mu)(mu)版(ban)(ban)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)畫(hua)(hua)入選《第一(yi)批(pi)國(guo)(guo)家(jia)級(ji)非物(wu)質(zhi)文(wen)(wen)化(hua)遺(yi)產(chan)名(ming)錄(lu)》。
灘(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)年(nian)畫從造(zao)紙到成(cheng)品所有工序都在灘(tan)頭(tou)當地完成(cheng),形成(cheng)了一個(ge)完善的(de)生產系列,這(zhe)在全國年(nian)畫制作中(zhong)較為鮮見。在灘(tan)頭(tou)木版(ban)年(nian)畫的(de)工藝中(zhong),蒸紙、托膠、刷(shua)粉等傳統工序均為灘(tan)頭(tou)所獨有,“開臉”也是有別(bie)于他處年(nian)畫的(de)獨特技(ji)藝。
灘(tan)頭木版年畫印(yin)(yin)刷時(shi)的色彩順(shun)序(xu)是:首先印(yin)(yin)黃色,再(zai)套印(yin)(yin)綠色、蘭色、橘紅(hong)色、玫瑰紅(hong)色、煤黑,最后開臉繪制眼珠(zhu)子、眉(mei)毛、胡須等(deng)20多道工序(xu)。
灘頭木(mu)版(ban)(ban)(ban)年畫的(de)印版(ban)(ban)(ban)分線(xian)(xian)版(ban)(ban)(ban)和(he)色(se)版(ban)(ban)(ban)兩種。線(xian)(xian)版(ban)(ban)(ban)也稱墨版(ban)(ban)(ban),老(lao)(lao)梨木(mu)材質,長久(jiu)不(bu)開裂、不(bu)變(bian)形(xing),刻出(chu)的(de)線(xian)(xian)條堅挺結實(shi)。色(se)版(ban)(ban)(ban)是畫幅中用(yong)得(de)較(jiao)多(duo)的(de)一(yi)(yi)種,每種色(se)需(xu)要(yao)一(yi)(yi)塊版(ban)(ban)(ban),一(yi)(yi)般用(yong)楓(feng)木(mu)做原(yuan)料。楓(feng)木(mu)色(se)版(ban)(ban)(ban)久(jiu)用(yong)易(yi)變(bian)形(xing),套印時(shi)會使色(se)塊出(chu)現(xian)錯(cuo)位,使有(you)的(de)地(di)方產(chan)生(sheng)飛白,這無意中又產(chan)生(sheng)另一(yi)(yi)種特(te)殊(shu)的(de)藝術(shu)效果。線(xian)(xian)版(ban)(ban)(ban)要(yao)由(you)技術(shu)高(gao)超(chao)的(de)老(lao)(lao)師(shi)傅主刀,在使用(yong)一(yi)(yi)定時(shi)間后(hou),線(xian)(xian)條變(bian)粗還要(yao)修版(ban)(ban)(ban),以保證印刷質量;學徒(tu)只能刻色(se)版(ban)(ban)(ban)。 ?
灘頭木(mu)版(ban)年畫制作工序獨特(te),特(te)別是粉紙的(de)(de)使用獨具特(te)色(se):在年畫印制之前,先(xian)在當地加(jia)工的(de)(de)土紙表面刷一層白(bai)粉(取(qu)自本地峽山口、沙坪一帶(dai)的(de)(de)白(bai)膠(jiao)泥),刷過(guo)白(bai)粉后(hou)的(de)(de)土紙在上色(se)后(hou)色(se)彩鮮(xian)明飽和(he),又(you)顯穩(wen)重。年畫版(ban)采(cai)用當地的(de)(de)梨木(mu)刻制,印制采(cai)用木(mu)版(ban)套(tao)色(se)和(he)手繪結合的(de)(de)方法,人物面部常常是手繪,即"開(kai)臉(lian)",面頰及嘴唇以紅色(se)渲(xuan)染描繪,胡(hu)須以寬筆勾畫,這(zhe)(zhe)種技法以神像畫最為(wei)(wei)典型(xing)。尉遲敬(jing)德為(wei)(wei)典型(xing)的(de)(de)灘頭門(men)神形象,人物著戲曲舞(wu)臺裝束(shu),形象威猛又(you)有(you)趣,身邊常有(you)麒麟(lin)狀(zhuang)元郎之類相(xiang)隨,這(zhe)(zhe)一童(tong)子形象頗似(si)利市仙宮(gong),雙(shuang)手執"四季興隆(long)"。這(zhe)(zhe)種門(men)神不僅(jin)護佑平安,還有(you)恭喜發財(cai)之愿。
灘頭木版年畫的(de)制(zhi)版難度在于線板雕刻,在這方面"高福(fu)昌(chang)"年畫作坊的(de)"陡刀(dao)立線"技(ji)術很有名,其行刀(dao)角(jiao)度一致(zhi),使用均勻的(de)暗勁(jing),轉折、交(jiao)叉(cha)處穩(wen)當不亂,完全(quan)靠感覺和技(ji)巧把握。 ?
從明末清初到民國(guo)初年(nian)(nian),灘頭(tou)(tou)木(mu)版(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)逐步形成(cheng)了自己獨特的(de)(de)(de)(de)美術(shu)風格:艷麗、潤澤的(de)(de)(de)(de)色彩,古(gu)拙、夸張、飽(bao)滿、個性化的(de)(de)(de)(de)造型方法,純正的(de)(de)(de)(de)鄉(xiang)土材料和獨到的(de)(de)(de)(de)工(gong)藝,使作品具(ju)有浮雕(diao)一(yi)般(ban)的(de)(de)(de)(de)藝術(shu)效果。灘頭(tou)(tou)木(mu)版(ban)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)從造紙(zhi)原料的(de)(de)(de)(de)選擇、紙(zhi)張的(de)(de)(de)(de)制造、刷底(di),到刻版(ban)、七次印刷、七次手(shou)繪,一(yi)張年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)生產需要經過二十多道工(gong)序。從手(shou)工(gong)造紙(zhi)到年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)成(cheng)品都(dou)在一(yi)個地方生產,在全國(guo)年(nian)(nian)畫(hua)制作中(zhong)極為鮮見。
灘(tan)頭木(mu)版年(nian)(nian)畫分為(wei)神(shen)像、寓意吉祥(xiang)(xiang)、戲文故(gu)事(shi)三(san)大類(lei),無論是門神(shen)、故(gu)事(shi)或(huo)祝福吉祥(xiang)(xiang)等內容,都在小小的年(nian)(nian)畫上演繹得淋漓盡致(zhi)。《老鼠娶親》、《秦叔寶和(he)尉遲恭》、《和(he)氣(qi)致(zhi)祥(xiang)(xiang)》,幾乎每幅年(nian)(nian)畫都流傳著(zhu)一個(ge)動人的故(gu)事(shi)。 ?
灘頭木版年(nian)畫(hua)用色(se)奔放,橘(ju)紅(hong)(hong)色(se)奪目,大色(se)塊的橘(ju)紅(hong)(hong)、淡黃、玫瑰紅(hong)(hong)與群青、鈷藍(lan)、翠綠、煤黑等同類(lei)色(se)、近(jin)似色(se)搭配,大小面積有(you)機分局。線條流暢圓潤,細而(er)富于力度,尤其(qi)是在刻畫(hua)人物眉毛(mao)、胡(hu)須、衣帶的飄動(dong)時(shi),運動(dong)感強,裝飾味(wei)兒濃(nong)。
隨著工(gong)業現代(dai)化進程對農耕文明的強(qiang)烈沖擊,灘(tan)頭木(mu)版年畫的市場急劇(ju)萎縮。由于年畫作坊入(ru)不敷出(chu),藝人(ren)(ren)們紛(fen)紛(fen)改行,原有技藝都已(yi)荒廢(fei)。老一輩的刻版高手相繼逝去,大(da)量印版在文革中(zhong)被焚毀、破壞(huai),部分藝術價值較高的印版偷偷地被文物商人(ren)(ren)買走,甚至偷運出(chu)境,有的已(yi)失傳了。 ?
2007年(nian),在(zai)當地政府的(de)協助下,一度(du)秘不示人的(de)灘頭(tou)木版年(nian)畫作(zuo)坊按照傳統(tong)儀(yi)式(shi)正(zheng)式(shi)開門收徒,由于當地一直恪守(shou)著“傳內不傳外”的(de)祖訓(xun),高臘(la)枚作(zuo)坊招收的(de)學徒是鐘海仙與高臘(la)枚老人的(de)兩個兒(er)子:鐘石(shi)棉、鐘建桐(tong),而金玉美作(zuo)坊招收的(de)則是李(li)咸陸老人的(de)一個遠房親戚鄧(deng)子軍。
2008年,國(guo)家級(ji)非(fei)物質(zhi)文化遺(yi)產(chan)傳(chuan)承(cheng)人鐘(zhong)海仙(xian)去(qu)世;2010年,同(tong)樣評為(wei)國(guo)家級(ji)非(fei)物質(zhi)文化遺(yi)產(chan)傳(chuan)承(cheng)人的李咸陸去(qu)世。文化傳(chuan)承(cheng)的問題因兩位技藝高超的民間藝人的去(qu)世頓(dun)時迫(po)在眉(mei)睫。