Fongyi Academy is the most complete academy architecture in Taiwan, and superior in terms of architectural scale and artistic performance. Fongyi Academy is a model example of Qing Dynasty architecture. It was founded in 1814 (19th year of Qing Jiaqing), proposed by the county magistrate Wu Xian-cheng and funded by local officials and merchants. Local licentiate Zhang Ting-qin supervised its construction. The academy was renovated in 1891 (Guangxu 17th year) and served as part of the Japanese Army’s Garrison Hospital, then functioned as a sericulture farm durinf Japanese rule. The building was covered by illegal extensions after the war.
The architectural and decorative features of Fongyi Academy is elegant, with rustically carved stone thresholds and the round pillar bases. Pointed wooden rafters under the building’s eaves are a defining characteristic of the Qianlong and Jiaqing period that differs from late Qing architecture. The wooden structure of Fongyi Academy is simple, its carving art style simple and elegant, emphasizing a solemn learning environment. The overall space is light and airy, and is a rare and complete representation of traditional academy architecture.
Cao Gong Shrine in housed in Fongyi Academy to commemorate the Qing Dynasty Fongshan County magistrate Cao Jin. During his tenure, Cao built "Cao Gong Canal" to irrigate more than 30,000 acres of land, which was crucial to agricultural development in Fongshan. Its impact was profound. Although there is also a Cao Gong Temple on Cao Gong Road in Fongshan, the earliest commemoration of Cao Jin’s public service was set in Fongyi Academy, honoring Cao Jin’s contribution to the people of Fongshan County.
007 鳳儀書院（曹公圳）
鳳儀書院為臺灣現存最完整的書院建築，不論在建築規模與藝術表現上皆首屈一指，若要瞭解清代書院建築，鳳儀書院可謂典範。鳳儀書院創建於1814年（清嘉慶19年），由知縣吳性誠倡議、當地仕紳團體共同捐資、歲貢生張廷欽負責操辦興建，之後曾於1891年（光緒17年）重修，日治時期曾被作為陸軍衛戍病院及鳳山養蠶所使用，戰後被違章建築所覆蓋。
從鳳儀書院內的縣築與裝飾特色呈現素雅的風格；抱鼓石及石柱珠的造型與雕紋，呈現質樸雅趣；其中所用的尖角瓜筒，為清代乾、嘉時期特色，尚未使用清末流行的趖瓜筒。鳳儀書院木結構用料簡約，雕刻藝術風格素雅質樸，講求學習環境的莊嚴肅穆，整體空間高敞明亮，是現存少見較完整的書院建築。
此外，鳳儀書院內另設有曹公祠，曹公祠是紀念清代鳳山縣知縣曹謹，其任職期間修築「曹公圳」，用以灌溉三萬餘畝田地，對鳳山地區農業開發至關重要、影響深遠。雖然今鳳山曹公路有曹公廟，但最早紀念曹謹的公祠卻是設在鳳儀書院內，以感念曹謹對鳳山縣民的貢獻。
文／黃于津
圖／高雄市政府文化局