Bodies and Structures 2.0: Deep-Mapping Modern East Asian History

The Chenghuang Temple: Reopening and Renovation after 1895

Jilong was one of the first places to fall under the occupation of Japan's military in early June, 1895, after just a day or two of armed resistance. The Japanese armed forces, under the leadership of Prince Kitashirakawa no Miya Yoshihisa, commandeered the Chenghuang and Dianji Temples for their barracks. In addition to halting the observance of all religious festivals and closing native temples, the colonial authorities made the premises unusable by Taiwanese residents due to their occupation. Indeed, here and elsewhere Japanese troops damaged the temple buildings or the idols of the resident deities, or in some cases both. However, the military occupation and closure did not last long. The troops were needed elsewhere--resistance proved to be much stronger in the south of the island--and, as noted at the opening, colonial authorities changed their minds about local temples within about a year. The advocacy, even unrest, of Taiwanese seems to have influenced the thinking of Government General officials. Outbreaks of disease--cholera, plague, malaria--followed the arrival of Japanese rule, and an outcry emerged, in Jilong and elsewhere, to allow the worship of protective deities such as Chenghuang Ye and a number of plague gods. In July, 1897, Jilong residents restored the City God idol in their temple and held a festival in his honor, with offerings of melons, chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep, to restore his protection to their streets and homes.

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