Study On Tulou Under The Perspective Of The Subject Of Cultural Heritage

Tulou is a mega-structure that possess dual attributes of materiality and spirituality,the previous academic studies are mostly based on architecture,history perspective,however certain deviations occur due to various reasons.This article think that"Cultural Heritage Life Entity" theory can guide us to start a comprehensive,systematic and scientific study on Tulou.Under the perspective of "Cultural Heritage Life Entity",the article proposed taking "seven elements" of current situation,time,space,structure,function,definition and impetus as the starting point,and using the method of multi-discipline theory such as history,architecture,ethnology,linguistics,geography,archaeology and folklore to restore the entire development course of Tulou-a kind of "Cultural Heritage Life Entity".Based on analysis related to Tulou's current situation,in order to have a general knowledge about Tulou from its basic concept,aspect and distinction,firstly we have understood the basic features of 46 Tulous which have been recognized as World Heritage Site.After gathering data and field research,we introduced all kinds of Tulous respectively in accordance with its region or county,this process is quite miscellaneously but fundamental to establish a solid foundation for our further discussions.To have more macroscopic and objective research on Tulou,we also combined and analyzed some representative types of large-scale residential buildings which located in Fujian,GuangDong and Jiangxi provinces,such as Fujian Earthen Building,Five-Phoenix Building,Round House and Round-Dragon House.In the spatial analysis of Tulous,we firstly carried out a kind of classification method according to their distribution density which make great contribution to discover regularity from the complex distribution state of Tulous,that is to say dense distribution area could be the origin of Tulous.Then we discussed the geographical,dialect and administrative spaces separately,among which the discussion of geographical space has proved that Tulou is suitable for mountain areas;the discussion of dialect space let us know that the residents in Tulous are mainly Hakkas;administrative space reminder us that Tulou's primordial period are between the Southern Song dynasty and Mid-Ming dynasty.In the analysis on Tulou's structure,at first,we introduced the construction process of Tulou,based on deconstruction analysis of Tulou from defense,residential,productive and cultural dimensions,and then proposed that Tulou has "a concentric-circles model" structure.We further discussed the external form and internal structure of Tulous,on the one hand,we believe that Tulous could be classify into square building,round building and other forms of earthen building,among that round building and square building have no particular order but a symbiotic relationship;on the other hand,we think that three categories can be defined according to Tulous' internal structure,such as corridor structure,cellular structure and the combination of corridor and cellular structures,and there is no regional and cultural difference between corridor structure and cellular structure but the relationship of one following another.In analysis of Tulou's function,we think that there are three main functions of Tulou:living,defense and culture,as an organic whole they complement each other indispensably.We also compared various functions of Tulou with Fujian Earthen Building,Five-Phoenix Building,Round House and Round-Dragon House,and further pointed out that Tulou is neither the most defensive type nor the most comfortable for living among them.Through discussion of the large-scale residential buildings which located at the joint area of Fujian,Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces,and finally we proposed that Tulou is belong to the integrated model which combining living and defense function.In the analysis of Tulou's definitions,by distinguishing its different definitions,sub-concepts and other names and redefining its concept,we think that Tulou is a multistory building compounded by rammed earth wall and wood frame,and with the combination of defense spaces and living spaces in which appears equal pattern.Therefore we proposed that Five-Phoenix Building and other non-enclosed buildings should exclude from the category of Tulou as they do not match that definition.In the origin and development analysis of Tulou,we firstly introduced and analyzed material and literature information related to Tulou's origin,and also identified "Tang and Song dynasties origination theory" and "Mid-Ming dynasty origination theory"which are popular in modern academia and considered both opinions are debatable,and then came up with a conclusion that Tulou has been produced no later than Ming dynasty as suggested by four facts:Tulou has been fully developed since Jia-jing period in Ming dynasty,it has been spread all over the southwestern Fujian during Jia-jing period in Ming dynasty,it already have specific features of Tulou in early Ming dynasty and the evolution of its administrative spaces.Furthermore,we think that the cause of the origin of Tulou is the pursue of defense function and the region of the origin of Tulou is the area of densely distributed Tulous,at last we appeal that the final solution to the issue of Tulou's origin is to carry out more field investigations and archaeological excavations.In the analysis of Tulou's evolution and dynamic,we divided the "Cultural Heritage Life Entity" into three stages:the forming stage which from the early Ming dynasty to the Yongzheng period in Ming dynasty with the pursue of defense function,the climax stage which from the Qianlong period in Qing dynasty to the period of the Republic of China with the pursue of residential function,the turning stage which from new China to reform and opening period with the pursue of inhabitable function for group people.