在浙江省寧波市,一座兩層藏書樓在此歷經(jīng)了452年的風雨。它與意大利馬拉特斯塔圖書館和美國弟奇·洛倫佐圖書館并稱為世界上歷史最悠久的三大家族圖書館,同時它也是亞洲現(xiàn)存最早的私家藏書樓。
它,便是天一閣。
余秋雨曾在《風雨天一閣》里寫道:“它只是一個藏書樓,但它實際上已成為一種極端艱難又極端悲愴的文化奇跡?!?/p>
的確,能夠屹立至今,天一閣堪稱奇跡。
如今,天一閣已經(jīng)成為以藏書文化為特色的專題性公共博物館,從一座私家藏書樓變?yōu)椤澳蠂鴷恰?。?shù)以百萬計的中外人士前去參觀訪問,人們在敬仰中國古代文明的同時,也十分欣賞天一閣對藏書文化的繼承和發(fā)揚。
清代乾隆皇帝曾高度評價范氏天一閣:珍藏善本豐富,書樓構(gòu)筑精佳,累世保管有方,嘉惠士林甚偉。他稱,范氏天一閣之所以成為藏書界“巨擘”,根本上在于創(chuàng)新和確立了藏書之“制”、藏書之“法”。
范氏十三代人的功績
一切都得從創(chuàng)建人范欽說起。
天一閣創(chuàng)始人范欽,字堯卿,一字安卿,號東明,浙江鄞縣(今寧波市)人。據(jù)志書記載,他在嘉靖十一年(1532年)考中進士。初任湖廣隨州知州。嘉靖十五年(1536年)至嘉靖三十九年(1560年)任職官場,同年十月去官歸里。
范欽酷愛書籍,去官歸里后建天一閣的時間是在嘉靖四十年至四十五年之間(1561—1566年)。書樓坐北朝南,是一排六開間兩層木結(jié)構(gòu)樓房。樓上藏書,各間之間用書櫥分隔。樓前有池,樓周圍留有空地,與住宅建筑隔開,以利防火。他晚年時認為“書不可分”,藏書便由其長子范大沖繼承,大沖因而放棄了其他的家產(chǎn)。
范大沖字少明,他繼承父志,續(xù)增藏書,刻范欽所著《天一閣集》,規(guī)定藏書歸于子孫共同所有、共同管理。從此,子孫各房相約,凡閣門和書櫥門的鎖鑰分房掌管,非各房齊集,不得開鎖,從制度上保證了書籍不被分散。
大沖子汝楠,字公定,一字梁甫,號九如,府學生,入國子監(jiān)。汝楠長子光文,字耿仲,號潞公,清順治六年進士,授禮部主事,遷史部文選司,八年為陜西試正考官,曾在天一閣前增構(gòu)池亭,環(huán)植竹木。汝楠次子光燮,字友仲,一字鼎仍,晚號希圣老人,恩貢生,康熙十五年(1676年)為嘉興府學訓導。他從天一閣傳抄書籍百余種,供士子們閱讀,并導黃宗羲登閣,提高了天一閣在學術(shù)界的知名度。
光燮子正輅,字載瞻,康熙五年舉人,曾任秀水教諭,泉州德化縣知縣,湖廣鄖陽府通判,他與光文、光燮一樣,對天一閣藏書亦有增益。至乾隆三十八年(1773年),范欽八世孫范懋柱代表范氏后人進呈了一批典籍,供四庫全書館采用,支持了《四庫全書》的纂修,因而得到了一部內(nèi)府銅活字本《古今圖書集成》一萬卷的嘉獎。道光九年(1829年),范筠甫、范邦冉等范氏后人于節(jié)省杞田之余,竭盡全力,對藏書樓進行了一次大修,同時還修訂了管理制度。
咸豐十一年(1861年),太平天國軍隊進駐寧波前后,盜賊乘混亂之機,破培入閣,潛運藏書,此后輾轉(zhuǎn)流散。范欽十世孫范邦綏“方避地山中,得訊大驚,即間關(guān)至江北岸。聞書為洋人傳教者所得,或賣諸奉化唐岙造紙者之家,急借貸贖回??芡?,又借宗老多方購求,不遺余力,而書稍稍復歸”。邦綏字履之,號小酉,為咸豐六年進士,四川即用知縣。
清末民初,一些藏書之家以為廢科舉興學校古籍已無用,便陸續(xù)將書籍出售。如曾與天一閣鼎足而立的寧波藏書家鄭氏二老閣和盧氏抱經(jīng)樓,均先后被變賣一空。而范氏后人頂住了書商的利誘,經(jīng)受住了物質(zhì)利益的考驗,抱殘守缺,把藏書保存下來。
1949年新中國成立前后,守閣的有范欽十二世孫范盈性和十三世孫范鹿其。他們默默無聞地管理著遺存的原藏書1.3萬卷和《古今圖書集成》8200余卷。由于天一閣主人十三代人的努力,天一閣終于跨越了四百多個春秋,開創(chuàng)了中國文獻保存史上的奇跡。
書樓俱存 世所罕見
從范氏故居向東,走過巷弄,眼前出現(xiàn)的二層建筑便是天一閣藏書樓。天一閣又名寶書樓。這是因為在二樓正中的上方,懸掛著明代隆慶年間寧波郡守王原相所書的“寶書樓”匾額,后人就沿襲了這個稱呼。
為何這座二層小樓如此受器重?它又如何歷經(jīng)滄桑成為典范?
歷史上,天一閣經(jīng)歷了多次劫難,特別是抗日戰(zhàn)爭期間,為躲避戰(zhàn)火而進行了大規(guī)模書籍轉(zhuǎn)移。這一時期,所藏珍本向外轉(zhuǎn)移,共分3批,轉(zhuǎn)移了5次。第一批于1937年8月先移至月湖碧沚祠,后轉(zhuǎn)至鄞西眺頭范家莊。第二批于1939年1月移存鄞南茅山范欽墓莊。最后一批包括前兩批一起于1939年4月轉(zhuǎn)移到浙南龍泉。1943年1月又從龍泉轉(zhuǎn)移到慶元。直到抗戰(zhàn)勝利后,這些珍貴書籍才回到閣中。
在經(jīng)歷了鴉片戰(zhàn)爭、太平軍攻陷寧波、盜賊偷盜等一系列外憂內(nèi)患的劫難后,天一閣中的藏書一度散失。但明清以來的歷屆政府與文人墨客都對天一閣愛護有加,許多藏書家先后將珍藏圖書捐贈給天一閣。目前,閣中現(xiàn)藏各類古籍近30萬卷,其中珍槧善本8萬余卷。雖然目前流傳下來的范氏原藏書僅1.3萬多卷,還不到原來的五分之一,不過,相對于明清以來其他著名藏書樓,天一閣能一直傳承下來,已經(jīng)非常幸運。
1940年,日軍侵犯寧波之前,范氏后人在浙江圖書館和鄞縣文獻委員會工作人員的協(xié)助下,把全部藏書分裝二十三大箱,用卡車轉(zhuǎn)移至浙南山區(qū)龍泉縣,租屋存藏,范氏推定范召南會同管理。1945年8月日本投降,次年冬,藏書運回歸閣,在閣內(nèi)公開展出數(shù)天。
天一閣曾經(jīng)歷了兩次大修。清道光九年(1829年),由范氏族人范邦冉等對天一閣進行大修,“上自棟瓦,下至介庭,左右墻垣,罔不煥然一新”。再次大修則是由民國時期馮貞群、朱鼎煦等寧波文化界熱心人士共同募資完成,共同參與維修,并在大修期間做好書籍保護工作。這一次重修的過程中,還將尊經(jīng)閣連同當?shù)乇4娴?0余方歷代碑石移至天一閣后院,并將尊經(jīng)閣前的庭院命名為“明州碑林”。
天一閣藏書流傳至今,書樓俱存,世所罕見。這與天一閣建造時所用的巧妙心思密切相關(guān)。范欽從政期間,積極參與藏書過程,參加交流活動,直接了解和總結(jié)當代藏書樓營造的案例和經(jīng)驗。范氏天一閣把藏書、建筑、園林結(jié)合起來,重在因憑選址、擬象構(gòu)筑、審美造境,以其獨到的書樓營造文化為支柱。
天一閣外觀為上下兩層。樓下廣寬六間,進深六間,以木板隔斷,既分切又組合,左有樓梯,右為書房,中間是寬敞的明堂,各具交通、研讀、會友的特定空間功能。樓上是一大統(tǒng)間,進深壓縮為四間,以中間松木腳杉木板的專用書櫥集群隔一而為六,收藏文獻典籍、碑帖字畫和刻書印版。前后檐相交暗建三層,各間設(shè)四扇推拉木檻窗,博脊和檐椽之間裝有鐵柵欄,既強化通風,又防范盜竊。下六上一的室內(nèi)構(gòu)成,直接照應了《易經(jīng)》鄭注“天一生水、地六成之”的說法,蘊含以水制火、火為水克和火生萬物、萬物水潤之義。書樓因而以“天一”命名。
書樓以山水、花木、建筑的組合構(gòu)成為本質(zhì)特征的園林,是建筑的變異類型,或者說是建筑體系的一個組成部分。浙江私家藏書樓崇山樂水,寫意抒懷,情景交融,人境合一,再創(chuàng)藏書有意味的文化時空和審美境界。范氏天一閣發(fā)揮了易道文化,促進了藏書文化、建筑文化、園林文化的結(jié)合,豐富和發(fā)展了易道文化審美造境的書樓營造文化。
值得一提的是,范欽在閣前鑿池蓄水防火,池水與月湖相通,完全體現(xiàn)了“天一生水”之義。山下山上林木森郁,叢竹搖曳,一派山野風光,自然天成。
“南國書城”大發(fā)展
與一般藏家不同,范欽的收藏側(cè)重在明代實錄、科舉錄、地方志、政書、碑帖叢帖以及先輩未傳世的詩文集等方面。每到一地,范欽都留心收集,尤其重視收集當代人的著作,像《國子監(jiān)監(jiān)規(guī)》《武定候郭勛招供》之類的官書,是當時的內(nèi)部資料,為一般藏書家所難以收得的。后來,他購進豐氏萬卷樓的一部分藏書,又與友人相約互抄書籍,藏書數(shù)量大大增加,如今已成為研究明代政治、經(jīng)濟和文化的重要資料。
1949年6月9日寧波軍事管制委員會文教部接管了范氏天一閣。從此,天一閣進入公藏時期,范氏后人范盈性和范鹿其也成為公職人員,其后,天一閣藏書迎來了大量擴增。由于天一閣成了國家的一個文化事業(yè)單位,寧波許多著名藏書家先后把自己珍藏多年的圖書、繪畫、碑帖等文物捐獻給天一閣收藏。
天一閣現(xiàn)藏古籍30余萬卷,其中善本8萬余卷,文獻資源較為豐富,重點保存了明清兩代的刻本和抄本。地方志、科舉錄、家譜、地方文獻頗具特色,已經(jīng)具備研究級文獻單位的條件。藏書家們?yōu)楸4孀鎳幕z產(chǎn),都花去了不少精力和財力,這一批批古籍都凝結(jié)著他們的汗水和辛勞:有的節(jié)衣縮食,經(jīng)、史、子、集、兼收并蓄;有的批校題跋,長年累月以此為樂:有的在戰(zhàn)亂的環(huán)境里,不顧個人安危,跟隨圖書顛沛流離。
他們把藏書化私為公,為保存和弘揚中華民族優(yōu)秀的藏書文化作出了無私的奉獻。
天一閣進入公藏時期以后,就具有公開性的特征,其管理也逐漸開放。新中國成立以來,由于藏書的成倍增加,書樓已無法容納,讀者和觀眾大量增加,原來的場地也顯得狹小。隨著天一閣藏書文化的延伸和發(fā)展,天一閣管理部門圍繞天一閣提出了“南國書城”的構(gòu)想。
天一閣書城建設(shè)構(gòu)想是在舊城改造大規(guī)模進行的歷史條件下提出來的,天一閣管理部門依靠北京歷史建筑研究所和寧波市規(guī)劃局的專家們繪制規(guī)劃圖。在一年多時間里調(diào)查研究,三易其稿,于1994年1月5日經(jīng)市規(guī)劃會議論證通過。
全部工程將分三期進行。1994年,當?shù)卣疀Q定三年內(nèi)撥款一千五百萬元。浙江省石油公司寧波分公司、寧波市外經(jīng)貿(mào)委所屬企業(yè)、寧波開發(fā)區(qū)華能公司等十余家企業(yè)也熱情資助,至1995年2月,贈款總額已超過二百萬元。
一期工程實際啟動時間是1993年初,當時國家計委已撥款七十萬元,用于拆除緊鄰天一閣西墻的一千余平方米舊房。如今,三祠已經(jīng)修復,六十余戶居民和一家醫(yī)藥倉庫已動遷完畢,書城建設(shè)圖景已然成為現(xiàn)實。
天一閣也由單體保護延伸為群體保護,成為展示中國古代民間藏書文化最豐富的書城。這不僅具有地方意義和全國意義,而且具有世界意義。
Tianyige Library in Ningbo
The Medicean-Laurentian Library and the Malatestiana Library in Italy and Tianyige Library in Ningbo, a harbor city in East Chinas Zhejiang Province, are known as the three extant ancient family libraries in the world. The 452-year-old Tianyige is the oldest extant private library in Asia.
Yu Qiuyu, a modern essayist and scholar, once commented that Tianyige is more than a library and that it is a cultural miracle that has survived extreme challenges and saddening years. Today, it is a public museum that has received millions of domestic and international visitors. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty who reigned from 1735 to 1796 spoke highly of Tianyige for its choice collection, well-designed library structure, perfect management system, and benefits the library brought to scholars.
Tianyige was founded by Fan Qin, a native of Ningbo. A Jinshi from the imperial examination in 1532, he worked for the government from 1536 to 1560. The library was erected from 1561 to 1566. The two-story wood structure was especially designed as a private library. It has a pond in front of the building and stands alone from the living quarters on the compound. The book storage space on the second floor is compartmentalized, separated by book cabinets. The design aimed to prevent fire from catching on.
In his evening years, Fan Qin believed the collection should never be divided equally by his sons and decided to leave it to the care of his first son Fan Dachong and bequest other properties to his other sons. Fan added new books to the collection, signed an agreement with family members and installed a management system. According to the system, the collection belonged to the family; keys to the door of the library and to the book cabinets were kept by family members separately; no one could access the library without the presence of family representatives with the keys.
Fan Dachongs son Fan Runan studied at the Imperial Academy. His first son Fan Guangwen was a Jinshi and worked as a government official. His second son Fan Guangxie began to work at the education department in 1676 in Jiaxing in northern Zhejiang. He copied more than 100 books from Tianyige and checked them out to students. He welcomed Huang Zongxi to read books at Tianyige, greatly enhancing the reputation of the library among scholars. Fan Guangxies son Fan Zhengluo added books to the family collection.
In 1773, Fan Mozhu, the eighth-generation descendant of Fan Qin, donated some books on behalf of the Fan family in Ningbo to the central government for the use of the Siku Quanshu, the complete imperial collection of books in four branches being compiled at the edict of Emperor Qianlong. The Fan familys contribution was recognized by the central government. The family received a set of 10,000-volume books printed with copper movable-types as a reward. In 1829, the Fan family had Tianyige refurbished and the management rules modified.
Tianyige suffered a heavy blow in 1861 when soldiers of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom were besieging Ningbo. Some thieves broke in and stole a great number of books.
Fan Bangshui, a tenth-generation descendant of Fan Qin, learned about the theft and hurried back from his hiding in a bid to retrieve all the lost books. He soon learned that some books were in the possession of foreign missionaries and some had been sold to paper makers in Fenghua. After the soldiers of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom withdrew, Fan Bangshui raised funds and bought back the lost books.
In the last years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the imperial examination system was abolished and new schools were introduced. Some book collectors in Ningbo thought ancient books were outdated and began to sell books from their private libraries. Two famed private libraries sold their collections and sold themselves out into historical oblivion. The Fan family held fast to the family library. During World War II, the books were transferred to safety five times from August 1937 to January 1943. They returned to Ningbo in the winter of 1946.
When the Peoples Republic of China was founded in 1949, Tianyige maintained 13,000 books of the original collection and 8,200 books of the 10,000-book set from the Qing government. On June 9, 1949, the local government took the library under wing and Fan Yingxing and Fan Luqi, two members of the Fan Family were put in charge of daily administration of Tianyige.
After the birth of the Peoples Republic in 1949, Tianyige became a government cultural institution better protection. Many private collectors found Tianyige ans a government institution trustworthy and donated generously to the ancient library.
At present, Tianyige has a collection of 300,000 ancient books including a wide range of local annals, documents, family pedigree books, imperial examination records.
The expanded collection called for a large space for storage. In the middle of the 1990s, the library compound expanded with funds donated by local businesses and allotted by Ningbo City and the central government. Over 60 households moved away and a pharmacy business vacated an adjacent warehouse to make room for the expansion. The expansion project in the 1990s was the third one in the history of Tianyige.
The first overhaul project took place in 1829. The second occurred in 1933, with funds raised by local people. In 1935, Zunjing Pavilion in Ningbo was relocated to the compound of Tianyige. Also relocated to the compound were over 80 historical stone steles.