Wednesday, November 28, 2018

悼 已故楊升英中醫師夫人


從光華日報訃告版得知英嬸96歲高齡壽終正寢。
上世紀80年代前,尤其是日落洞,大路後的老檳城,沒有人不認識楊升英中醫師。
英嬸是楊升英中醫師的夫人。每在英叔把脈問診後 ,站在後廳櫥桌櫃旁的英嬸, 就會將早已打成粉末的藥材,按照英叔開出的藥方給病患者抓藥粉。
夫婦兩人秉着仁心仁術的胸懷,博施濟眾的精神, 受到廣大群眾的贊譽。
英叔有漳州人在清明節日吃“薄餅”的食俗,這天我們會被邀請去他家,用薄薄的圓形薄餅皮,將肉,豆腐干,加上香菇,螃蟹肉,豆芽,菲菜等等菜料,包卷成薄餅條,用手捧着吃。
大家吃吃聊聊天,可是最忙的還是英嬸。
所以在我的心目中,她永遠是那麼親切,慈祥。
愿 英嬸安息西方極樂世界。阿彌陀佛。

楊升英中醫師


Tuesday, November 20, 2018

葵花斗碗



70年代,在經營陶瓷業時,記得向汕頭陶瓷公司訂購的葵花斗碗, 大多數是產自大埔縣的高陂鎮。

葵花斗碗可以說是客屬家庭必備的飯碗,同時也是潮州人在舊時代常用來盛飯的陶碗。

不過,葵花斗碗來到檳城除了一部分給潮州人盛糜  (既是粥,潮州話叫:muay )和客家人盛飯外,多半是讓麺食販攤使用,被稱為 “ Laksa 碗 ”。

緣於那個時代,檳城街頭麺食攤,依據各類麺條美食,採用不同紋飾圖案的粗碗盛麺。


例如福建蝦麺用雞公碗,雲吞麺用彩梅花碗,賣干冬(Bubur gandum)麥粥的用旦青斗碗,盛叻沙 / 喇沙 ( Laksa ) 則用葵花斗碗, 故此也被叫成“ Laksa 碗 ” 

先來講講葵花斗碗的基本形狀和圖案。

胎土粗而厚重的特性,讓斗碗耐撞,耐用程度加倍延長。

碗口大,且有個特征形狀,是碗口邊沿凸起一道藍色條紋,渾圓似嘴唇的厚邊,這稱唇口。

碗身造型為斜直壁,碗底托身的支腳,是底無上釉的厚直圈足,一讓斗碗平穩擺放,二讓拿起盛熱食湯時,碗底不會感到燙手。

在碗身外壁的豐潤簡筆描繪下的花,有一種特殊的美感。


不知道大家可有注意到, 畫在葵花斗碗的花朵,不似向日葵。

只要仔細的看,就會悟出是由  “ 兴(興) “ ,“丁” 兩個字, 根據描繪方式將 ” 葵“  ,“花” (篆體)象形文字演化而形成的圖案。主要用意是 “丁”  “興” 內含有 人丁興旺, 多子多孫的寓意。

畫工再隨意以流暢的線條,分格將花樣隔開, 讓花圖顯得雅典大方,而極具舊時代的特色。盡管繪紋比較草率,但是圖案是個重要裝飾紋樣。


碗內底面繪上一條藍色螺旋線, 藏着深大的意義在其中。線飾除了增加美觀,對中國傳統紋飾來說,螺旋紋是無限的象征,更大的作用似乎是祈寄子孫繁衍,綿延不絕之吉祥寓意。

此外,據陶瓷史料記載, 青花葵花斗碗產於明朝。葵花斗碗





在那個時代,古人書中所說的 “葵” 並不是現在的向日葵,葵乃古代重要的蔬菜。有唐詩宋詞為証:如蘇軾詩的 “煮葵燒筍餉春耕”,白居易的 “貧廚何所有?炊稻烹秋葵 ”。

葵又名冬葵,俗名滑菜, 另有錦葵,蜀葵,戎葵等等葵。

這也印証了斗碗上所繪的花圖,不是一般稱為向日葵, 向陽花,太陽花的葵花。

屬粗陶的葵花斗碗是一種傳統老派,充滿舊中國氣息的民間器具。


在廉價粗陶仍佔據九成市場的時代,葵花碗只有大中小三種尺寸規格產,品名分碗口以直徑4 英寸為葵湯,4.3/4英寸為葵花中斗碗, 5.3/4 英寸為葵花大斗碗 。


今天除了斗碗,各陶瓷公司順理成章的推出了繪葵花圖紋系列餐具,包括大小不同的碗類,盤碟,茶杯,湯匙等等容器。

不過值得思量的是,你可有想到這一個,看似平凡的葵花斗碗,圖案裏頭蘊藏着的意涵?


Wednesday, November 7, 2018

檳光學院



藏在升旗山半山的檳光學院,英文名稱  Hillview Institute  是一間提供華文教學和承傳中華文化的 私立高等學府;  然而却和以下三個華裔名人有特殊淵源。

The “Bin Guang Xue Yuan / 檳光學院 “which was hidden in the mid-level of Penang Hill was named “Hillview Institute“ in English .It was a private higher education institute / college that provided Chinese teaching and inherited Chinese culture. Three great persons were involved in the history of the college.
第一位是在華人社會中有聲望和擁有這片土地所有權的地主:已故 王景成老先生。(註 1

The first person was the landlord who has prestige in the Chinese community of Penang and ownership of this land, the late Mr. Ong Keng Seng (Appendix 1)
另一位是創辦與任教於學院的已故蕭遙天老師 ; 在國際畫壇享負盛名的中國(台灣)國畫家,已故張大千居士。

Secondly is the late Master Xiao Yao Tian who founded and taught at the college and the Chinese (Taiwan) world famous Chinese painting artist, Master Zhang Da Qian.
據王老的內孫女王潔敏女士告知,租借給蕭老師做學院的這所花園別墅, 有個英文雅號,    Green House   ,是為王老家族成員提供一個山間休閑的好去處。

According to Mdm Ong Keat Bin, the granddaughter of the late Mr Ong Keng Seng, the garden villa that was rented to Master Xiao as college  had an English name,  called  “ Green House “, of which it was a good place for the Ong’s family members to relax and enjoy their leisure time on the Penang Hill.  
佔地面積不算小的學院,開辦幾年後,在馬來西亞華文教育政策的演變和 學生(泰國)來源減少的影響下,不得關閉了。

After a few years of operation, the college was forced to close. The reason was due to the change of Chinese education policy in Malaysia and the decline in the intake of students (majority from Thailand).

自此, 依山地斜坡,上下前後而建的兩棟有開敞外廊的獨立木質建筑物, 因荒廢許久,左右數間廂房,已經倒塌了。這兩棟建筑物的部分結構和屋頂,甚至有崩塌的危險。

Since then, the two independent wooden bungalows built according to the hill slopes have been abandoned for a long time, several rooms have been collapsed. 
難得王老的孫輩,曉理懂感恩, 為追思祖父功績,傳承祖父偉業,承諾讓殘存的這兩三棟    Green House  ,保持原貌。現正策劃把它稍微加以休葺,    禪中心  /   Penang Passaddhi Retreat and Meditation Centre  ” 。

It turns out that the grandchildren of the late Mr Ong have an attitude of gratitude.  In order to reminisce on her grandfather’s achievements,   she promised to let the two remaining bungalows  of  Green House  remain intact. Currently renovation is in progress in converting the bungalow to a Buddhish meditation retreat as named “Penang Passaddhi Retreat and Meditation Centre “.
愿 潔敏與夫婿張炳仁在王家成員和有心人士共同努力下,完成這項任務。
王景成先生逝世,蕭遙天老師發文悼念 (附圖 ),展示兩人深厚的賓主情誼, 也表揚王老的熱心,厚道人品。

May I wish Keat Bin and her husband Mr Cheong Peng Yan with the joint efforts of the members of Ong’s family and those who are interested and helpful will accomplish this task as scheduled.
In deep grief, Master Xiao Yao Tian wrote a mourning to show the deep friendship between both of them and praised the late Mr Ong’s enthusiasm and kindness. (Refer to attachment)
請參閱以下博文和照片,對    Green House     將出現的景象 和已故王景成老先生的生平事跡,作了很詳細的報道。

Please refer to the following blog post and photos for detailed information on the future scenes that will appear in the “Green House “and a brief description of the late Mr Ong Keng Seng.
 
多數行人走過這間屋宇時,不會察覺到牆上遺留至今的墨寶。
大家都知道,字以人貴,請名家題招牌字的筆潤,從幾千元到幾萬元不等。
60年代期間的國畫大師張大千,無人不知,無人不曉。能獲得張大千為 " 檳光學院 " 題字,可見蕭張兩老之間的交情不一般啊!


Most people / hikers walked through this bungalow will not be aware of the treasures left on the wall. 
Generally known to the public, to request a famous artist to write a high quality Chinese calligraphy for shopfronts or signage is high in price, it costs hundreds to thousands of dollars.
During the 1960s, everybody knew about the Chinese Painting artist, Zhang Da Qian.  From the signage  of the college with Zhang Da Qian’s inscription, one can see how good their friendships are.
蕭老師的文獻  [  草木寄情說大千- 南遊寫憶之一曰:張氏在檳城時節,偶患微疴,故較長的日子留在升旗山客寓中休養  ]  (摘自教與學月刊第六卷第四期)。

根據遊記記載推論,張大千就是住在     Green House   ,在蕭老師陪伴下,遊盡星馬名山勝水, 就這樣結下兩人真誠深厚的情誼。

Master Xiao’s literature [Da Qian Memories of South Tour] noted: During Zhang stay in Penang, he was occasionally suffering from a slight sickness. So most of the time he was staying in the guest house,   ” Green House  on Penang Hill to restore his health.  (Excerpt from the monthly Teaching and Learning magazine, Volume VI, Issue 4).

Learned from the text, Master Zhang was stayed in the “ Green House “ and being accompanied by Master Xiao,  visiting  various places with stunning mountain and sea views all round Malaysia and Singapore. From here they established a sincere and profound friendship.
張大千的落款,“  蜀人張大千爰  
銅板敲打焊接的字塊,“ 檳光學院  ”  排字的順序,按照漢字傳統右至左橫排。 張大千的落款,“  蜀人張大千爰  ”,自上而下, 豎排成行。
雖然歷經數十年的日雨淋,大部分字塊皆堅牢不動, 惟掉失了豎排的一塊  “大”  字, “ 檳院 ”   二字殘缺不完整,毀損程度不大。 即使遠望,也能清楚辨識    檳光學院   ” 四個大字。
只要將鉤住的乾草清除掉, 再擦淨沾在字面上的銅鏽,這套檳城唯一的張大千墨寶, 將重顯漢字的書法美感。


Cut and bent copper metal on Chinese character blocks of the “Bin Guang Xue Yuan “were arranged in a right-to-left direction according to traditional Chinese character order. The signature of Zhang Da Qian was arranged from top to bottom in vertical line.  

Although after decades of sun’s radiation and pouring rain, most of the letter blocks are firmly fixed on wall.  There are a missing of the vertical letter block, “大  “and a minor deficiency of horizontal word “, “but the disfigurement is not serious. The Chinese characters, “Bin Guang Xue Yuan “can clearly be seen from a distance.
Once the dry grass and the rust on the surface of the letter blocks were removed, the Chinese calligraphy will emerge its traditional arts and beauty with shining and extraordinary splendor. 

思緒一轉,時光倒流回到文氣四溢的檳光學院,我們化身學生仔,坐在近半個世紀前的單獨木制課桌椅,聆聽着蕭老師在講課。

A shock bringing imagination back to the schooling time, we turned into a student, sitting on a separate wooden desk and chair made half a century ago, listening to the teaching of Master Xiao. 


(註 1  / Appendix 1)
已故王景成老先生的生平事跡
已故王景成老先生  1898 ~ 1963  ), 原籍福建同安,出生於檳城。
在馬來西亞,尤其檳城華人社會中,久負盛名。
王老幼曾受教育於孔聖廟中華中學。長入商界,先為樹膠上, 創辦大同樹膠公司。旋營電影業,將邱善佑所建的善佑戲院,改名為大華戲院。
平時恬靜寡言,待人以誠,樂善好施,熱心公益, 尤致力於華文教育與提倡體育。
檳城各華校各社團之籌建,多仰賴王老出錢出力而完竣。慈善機構歷年籌募基金,亦多出王老之手。

The late Mr. Ong Keng Seng (1898 ~ 1963) was born in Penang on 1898 and died in 1963, a Chinese of origin from Fijian Province Tong An District , 
In Malaysia, especially in the Chinese community of Penang, he was well-known for good reputation and big businesses.
At early stage, he received Chinese education at Penang Chung Hwa Confucian School.
Growing into the business world, he founded Datong Rubber Company.  In the film and cinema industry, he took over the ownership of Xian You Theatre and renamed as The Majestic Theatre. He was a smarter person who talked less, always treated people with sincerity, kind and helpful.
He was enthusiastic about public welfare, especially devoted to Chinese education and sports activities. Several fundraising for charity and non-profit organizations in Penang were greatly depended on the kind efforts of the late Mr Ong Keng Seng.

第二次世界大戰結束後, 因在日佔馬來亞時期, 以籌款賑災有功,榮膺中國抗日戰爭勝利勛章。也受委任为马来亚华侨国大代表侨务委员。
兼连续数十年出任中国国民党三大外围机构:槟城阅报社,钟灵学校纪念孙中山活动, 和光华日报董事部正主席。
又以服務社會有功,蒙最高元首和檳州州長封賜各項最高封銜。

After the end of the 2nd World War, he was awarded with the medal of victory in the Chinese Anti-Japanese War for his efforts in fundraising and disaster relief during the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
He was also appointed as a member of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee of Overseas Chinese National Congress of Malaya.
He has served as the three peripheral institutions of the Chinese Nationalist Party for several decades: Chairman of Sun Yat Sen Museum Penang, Chung Ling School to commemorate Sun Yat-Sen activities and Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press.
In order to serve the society, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Governor of Penang have conferred him with highest titles in recognition of his contributions to the country and society.

Friday, November 2, 2018