羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)已經有(you)三千年的(de)歷史(shi)(shi)了(le),中(zhong)(zhong)華傳統工藝品。在(zai)國(guo)(guo)內外享有(you)盛譽的(de)湖州羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)歷史(shi)(shi)悠久、風(feng)格獨特的(de)民族傳統產(chan)品之(zhi)(zhi)一。明(ming)文震(zhen)亨《長物志》卷七:“扇(shan),羽(yu)(yu)扇(shan)最(zui)古。”“扇(shan)”字從(cong)“羽(yu)(yu)”也證明(ming)了(le)扇(shan)子(zi)(zi)大家(jia)族中(zhong)(zhong),以(yi)羽(yu)(yu)扇(shan)的(de)出現為(wei)最(zui)早。晉(jin)崔豹(bao)《古今(jin)注(zhu)》:“雉尾(wei)扇(shan)起于(yu)殷世高(gao)宗。”據前(qian)秦王(wang)嘉《拾遺記》記載,羽(yu)(yu)扇(shan)始于(yu)周昭王(wang)時(shi),有(you)盂夏取鵲翅為(wei)扇(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)說。扇(shan)字按中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)象形文字理解(jie),最(zui)早的(de)扇(shan)子(zi)(zi)是(shi)用禽羽(yu)(yu)制作,有(you)門戶(hu)之(zhi)(zhi)家(jia)才有(you)權擁有(you)。扇(shan)子(zi)(zi)起源于(yu)虞舜時(shi)期,用于(yu)障蔽日,也是(shi)權威的(de)標志。
諸(zhu)葛(ge)亮,手持的應該是(shi)白(bai)(bai)鶴羽(yu)毛做(zuo)的“白(bai)(bai)羽(yu)扇”,據(ju)《語林(lin)》上記載著:諸(zhu)葛(ge)武(wu)侯與宣(xuan)王在渭邊,將戰,武(wu)侯乘素輿,葛(ge)巾,白(bai)(bai)羽(yu)扇,指揮三軍(jun),三軍(jun)皆(jie)隨其進止。
在人們的(de)印象中,諸葛亮(liang)的(de)扇子非同尋常,它已成為一個(ge)特定意義(yi)的(de)道具,與諸葛亮(liang)的(de)名字一樣(yang)深入人心。然而,諸葛亮(liang)的(de)扇子從何而來?在長江流域,流傳著這樣(yang)一種說法(fa)。
相傳諸葛(ge)亮小的(de)時候放牛(niu),結識(shi)了一(yi)(yi)(yi)位白胡子老(lao)(lao)頭,兩(liang)人常(chang)在一(yi)(yi)(yi)塊(kuai)讀書(shu)玩耍。老(lao)(lao)頭行蹤神(shen)秘,引起了小諸葛(ge)的(de)好(hao)奇。一(yi)(yi)(yi)日,他(ta)偷偷將白石灰(hui)放入(ru)老(lao)(lao)頭的(de)竹拐杖里,老(lao)(lao)頭走(zou)后,他(ta)順著白石灰(hui)印找到一(yi)(yi)(yi)棵大樹(shu)下(xia)。原來老(lao)(lao)頭是一(yi)(yi)(yi)只金鳥(一(yi)(yi)(yi)說(shuo)為老(lao)(lao)鷹)變的(de),正在樹(shu)上打(da)(da)盹呢!諸葛(ge)亮就(jiu)在樹(shu)下(xia)守候,忽然,金鳥打(da)(da)了一(yi)(yi)(yi)個哈(ha)欠,從(cong)嘴里掉(diao)出一(yi)(yi)(yi)顆珠(zhu)子,正好(hao)落入(ru)諸葛(ge)亮口(kou)中,“撲(pu)通“一(yi)(yi)(yi)下(xia)滑(hua)入(ru)肚(du)中。
老頭驚醒后,對諸葛亮說了(le)(le)實言(yan):我(wo)是(shi)修(xiu)煉了(le)(le)三千年的(de)金鳥,全(quan)(quan)靠(kao)這(zhe)顆珠子活命。現在,珠子沒有了(le)(le),我(wo)也(ye)活不(bu)長了(le)(le)。我(wo)知道(dao)你是(shi)個聰(cong)明(ming)的(de)人,所以(yi)有意成全(quan)(quan)你。你必須在八月十五這(zhe)天來這(zhe)里找到我(wo)的(de)尸體,拔下我(wo)的(de)羽(yu)毛,編成扇子,日后有何難事(shi),搖搖扇子就有辦法了(le)(le)。
諸葛亮的(de)扇(shan)子就這么(me)來的(de),以(yi)后(hou)他在劉(liu)備手下(xia)當了軍師,這把羽(yu)扇(shan)幫他出謀(mou)劃策,屢建功績,成為智(zhi)慧和謀(mou)略的(de)象征(zheng)。
扇(shan)(shan)字按中國象形文字理(li)解(jie),最早(zao)的(de)扇(shan)(shan)子是用(yong)禽羽(yu)(yu)制作,有(you)(you)門戶之(zhi)家(jia)才有(you)(you)權(quan)擁有(you)(you)。扇(shan)(shan)子起源(yuan)于虞舜時(shi)期(qi),用(yong)于障蔽日,也是權(quan)威的(de)標志(zhi)。古代皇帝(di)用(yong)雉(zhi)羽(yu)(yu)制作長柄羽(yu)(yu)扇(shan)(shan)作為(wei)出行儀仗,以(yi)顯示王者(zhe)的(de)高貴權(quan)威,后(hou)(hou)歷朝(chao)沿襲(xi)不衰,及至清(qing)代。在(zai)三國,諸葛亮手中的(de)鵝毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan),則被后(hou)(hou)人譽為(wei)智慧(hui)和才干的(de)象征。羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan)乃是輕、巧之(zhi)物,所(suo)扇(shan)(shan)出的(de)徐徐微風,就連(lian)年(nian)老體弱者(zhe)、孕(yun)婦(fu)、產后(hou)(hou)母子都很適(shi)宜(yi)使用(yong)羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan)。《唐書》:其扇(shan)(shan)風緩而涼,病弱者(zhe)用(yong)之(zhi),亦不傷風感冒,孕(yun)婦(fu)尤為(wei)適(shi)宜(yi)。
在國(guo)內(nei)外享有盛(sheng)譽(yu)的湖州羽毛扇,是我(wo)國(guo)歷史悠久、風格(ge)獨特的民族傳統(tong)產品之一。
用(yong)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)毛(mao)作扇(shan)(shan)(shan),在(zai)我國已(yi)(yi)有數千年(nian)歷(li)史(shi)。陸(lu)機《羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)賦》說:“昔楚襄王會(hui)于章臺(tai)之(zhi)上,大(da)夫宋(song)玉、唐勒侍,皆操(cao)白(bai)鶴(he)之(zhi)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)以為(wei)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)”。清﹒張(zhang)燕昌《羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)譜》記載更詳,說羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)“古(gu)今注謂其(qi)制(zhi)起自殷高宗(zong),周(zhou)禮(li)巾車為(wei)重翟(zhai)。說者謂僅在(zai)儀衛。至三國時,諸(zhu)葛亮(liang)捉白(bai)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)指揮三軍。始為(wei)今羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)所(suo)昉,其(qi)產(chan)以湖(hu)州為(wei)盛。每歲采(cai)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)選刷,或白(bai)或染,匯(hui)合成扇(shan)(shan)(shan),復用(yong)利刀破羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)管(guan),用(yong)鶴(he)鸛等尾下甬毛(mao)毛(mao)綴之(zhi),以美觀。所(suo)用(yong)鳥羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)種類(lei)不一(yi),而(er)以雁鷹為(wei)多見”。據(ju)傳說,三國時期湖(hu)州已(yi)(yi)出羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan),但尚無(wu)從嵇(ji)考(kao)。現據(ju)制(zhi)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)老藝人回憶,湖(hu)州最老的羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)毛(mao)房店是邱義豐,已(yi)(yi)有一(yi)百(bai)七、八十(shi)年(nian)歷(li)史(shi),而(er)在(zai)該店創設以前,湖(hu)州羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)已(yi)(yi)盛行百(bai)余(yu)年(nian)。由此可(ke)見,湖(hu)州羽(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)毛(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)的歷(li)史(shi)至少(shao)也有數百(bai)年(nian)了。
湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)的(de)(de)(de)特點是(shi)(shi)(shi):毛(mao)(mao)(mao)片(pian)(pian)(pian)平薄(bo),質(zhi)軟風柔(rou),制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)工精致,式樣美(mei)觀(guan),俗稱:“清(qing)涼悠(you)悠(you)鳥毛(mao)(mao)(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)”。人(ren)們常說(shuo)此(ci)種扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)子扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)出來(lai)(lai)的(de)(de)(de)風是(shi)(shi)(shi)“和風”,特別(bie)適宜于(yu)老、弱、病人(ren)及孕婦使用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong),不會扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)出病來(lai)(lai),因而(er)被人(ren)們譽為(wei)“納(na)涼妙品”。湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)何(he)以(yi)質(zhi)量獨佳?《湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)府(fu)志》說(shuo):“羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)外來(lai)(lai)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物,吾郡中溪(xi)水(shui)刷之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),則潤澤而(er)有(you)光(guang)(guang)彩,制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)亦精致,他處所罕見也(ye)。”湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)民間對羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)的(de)(de)(de)柔(rou)軟潤澤,有(you)一(yi)個有(you)趣的(de)(de)(de)神(shen)話故(gu)(gu)事。傳說(shuo)“八仙(xian)”之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)一(yi)的(de)(de)(de)呂洞賓,曾在(zai)(zai)湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城內駱(luo)(luo)駝橋堍(tu)賣湯團(tuan),用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)古(gu)橋下(xia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)水(shui)而(er)煮,其(qi)味(wei)鮮美(mei)可口,生意興隆。此(ci)后,制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)藝人(ren)也(ye)專取駱(luo)(luo)駝橋下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)水(shui)來(lai)(lai)洗(xi)刷羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao),洗(xi)后果然(ran)羽(yu)(yu)片(pian)(pian)(pian)色(se)澤光(guang)(guang)亮,毛(mao)(mao)(mao)質(zhi)柔(rou)韌(ren),惹人(ren)喜愛(ai)。當然(ran),神(shen)話只是(shi)(shi)(shi)神(shen)話,而(er)湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)城內為(wei)苕溪(xi)所經,苕溪(xi)發源于(yu)天目(mu)山,水(shui)質(zhi)佳卻是(shi)(shi)(shi)真實(shi)的(de)(de)(de),故(gu)(gu)洗(xi)刷之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)會柔(rou)軟而(er)富有(you)光(guang)(guang)澤。除水(shui)質(zhi)外,選料嚴格,制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)工精致尤為(wei)關鍵。羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)采(cai)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)野禽(qin)(qin)和家(jia)禽(qin)(qin)兩種,野禽(qin)(qin)主要(yao)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)雁、鷹、鶴、鴟、雕、鷺鷥(si)、天鵝(e)和青雞等等的(de)(de)(de)翅(chi)尾,此(ci)類鳥產于(yu)太湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)、洪澤湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)和鄱(po)陽湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)泊周圍的(de)(de)(de)蘆(lu)葦密層之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中。家(jia)禽(qin)(qin)選用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)杭嘉水(shui)鄉(xiang)所產的(de)(de)(de)白(bai)鵝(e)和后來(lai)(lai)引進的(de)(de)(de)灰鵝(e)的(de)(de)(de)翎(ling)羽(yu)(yu),還大量從南京(jing)、蕪湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)、江(jiang)西(xi)等地采(cai)購(gou)。制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)把羽(yu)(yu)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan),要(yao)經過(guo)選毛(mao)(mao)(mao)、出片(pian)(pian)(pian)、洗(xi)片(pian)(pian)(pian)、理片(pian)(pian)(pian)、縫片(pian)(pian)(pian)、接管、串毛(mao)(mao)(mao)、裝柄(bing)(bing)、整形、裝絨、繪畫等十(shi)一(yi)道工序(xu),整個工藝過(guo)程(cheng)要(yao)求(qiu)一(yi)絲(si)不茍。配制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)柄(bing)(bing)也(ye)很講究。據《湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)州(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)府(fu)志》記載:湖(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)城人(ren)制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)鵝(e)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan),“其(qi)柄(bing)(bing)即將羽(yu)(yu)管劈(pi)絲(si)編(bian)織,大抵(di)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)鵝(e)羽(yu)(yu),其(qi)貴重(zhong)者(zhe)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)鶴飾柄(bing)(bing),用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)瑪(ma)瑙、檀香鏈銅絲(si)為(wei)釘(ding)鉸(jiao),其(qi)價(jia)有(you)至數金(jin)者(zhe)。”爾后,一(yi)般扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)柄(bing)(bing)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)竹、木制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng)(cheng),有(you)的(de)(de)(de)采(cai)用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)山羊(yang)腳骨(gu)(gu)加(jia)工而(er)成(cheng)(cheng),山羊(yang)骨(gu)(gu)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)柄(bing)(bing)最大的(de)(de)(de)妙處是(shi)(shi)(shi)久(jiu)執手中不覺潮熱(re),高(gao)檔扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)則用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)象牙和獸骨(gu)(gu)磋制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)柄(bing)(bing)。制(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)藝人(ren)完(wan)成(cheng)(cheng)把扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)后,有(you)的(de)(de)(de)還要(yao)在(zai)(zai)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)柄(bing)(bing)上端用(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)羽(yu)(yu)毛(mao)(mao)(mao)管劈(pi)成(cheng)(cheng)篾(mie)扎(zha)成(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)只富有(you)江(jiang)南水(shui)鄉(xiang)特色(se)的(de)(de)(de)小菱角,真是(shi)(shi)(shi)獨具匠心(xin),構思巧妙,錦上添(tian)花。
湖州羽(yu)毛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)花(hua)色品(pin)種繁多,約有(you)百余種,其主要有(you)五種:如諸葛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)、桃形(xing)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)、圓形(xing)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)、半月扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)和絨(rong)折(zhe)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)等,其中(zhong)(zhong)桃形(xing)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)其形(xing)似籌桃,人(ren)們作(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)壽禮(li)饋贈(zeng),工(gong)藝(yi)水平高超,造型美觀,是湖州羽(yu)毛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)廠眾(zhong)多產(chan)品(pin)中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)佼佼者,一九八一年(nian)全國扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)子(zi)質量評(ping)比中(zhong)(zhong)它和半月扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)一起(qi)被評(ping)為(wei)全國同類產(chan)品(pin)的(de)第(di)一名。湖州羽(yu)毛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)既經濟實用,又可作(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)藝(yi)術鑒賞。在文藝(yi)舞(wu)臺(tai)上,羽(yu)毛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)也(ye)屢次展現,如京劇折(zhe)子(zi)戲《空城計》中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)諸葛亮(liang),手執(zhi)鶴(he)翎扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)輕(qing)輕(qing)擺動,十分得(de)體,是具(ju)有(you)獨(du)特風格(ge)中(zhong)(zhong)而不缺少(shao)的(de)道具(ju)。在舞(wu)蹈中(zhong)(zhong)羽(yu)毛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)作(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)主要道具(ju)的(de)亦頗多。一九六四(si)年(nian)柬埔寨皇家歌(ge)舞(wu)團訪華演(yan)出時,在舞(wu)蹈中(zhong)(zhong)出現的(de)六十把羽(yu)絨(rong)折(zhe)扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan),就是湖州羽(yu)毛扇(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)廠精工(gong)制作(zuo)(zuo)而成的(de)。