Taiwan History Tidbits through 'Taiwan-Old-Families'
1. Yilan
2. North Gate
3. John Dodd
4. Formosa Past in Dutch Village
I am taking this opportunity to note down tidbits arriving in my attention from recent events since my last post. And report on some interesting 'discoveries' through a private group 'Taiwan-Old-Families' I was invited to join two months ago.
Equally important, directing you to GREAT links by the best, in my opinion, bilingual Micro-Historian of Taiwan in this half-century.
1. Yilan
There are many private antique collectors in Taiwan who prefer keeping a low profile like this one - a History Professor in Yilan. On the other hand, he was also excited to share in the right circumstances to the right people. He bought a 4-floor building specifically for 'storage' - first floor mainly books, I could not contain my surprise reaching the third floor - rooms and rooms of bowls & dishes and there was more!
Taiwan's most prominent exposition 1935. Taipei.
Following the house tour, I was introduced to Chien Yang-Tung. Founder and Director of 'Taiwan Bowl&Dish Museum'. (http://www.facebook.com/Taiwan.Bowl.Dish.Museum. Check this out for images to get a good idea of the capacity)
Opened in 2012, closed in 2016 due to lease expiry. Now Chien is building a new museum at a new location and hoping to reopen by Feb 2019, he told me.
This is the new location - overlooking beautiful Yilan landscapes. It couldn't have been more Yilan, more Taiwan. He sold 1000+ items at the closure of the first one, as stated in the museum facebook page) It is the only museum dedicating to Taiwan's old bowl&dish, he said, and the entire collection is from one person - himself.
NOTES:
- Hakka in Yilan: My understanding is Hakka contributed (during Qing Dynasty) significantly in terms of constructions and yet they aren't today necessarily identified as 'Hakka'. It didn't seem important or necessary for Yilan Hakka to wear their origin or identity in their sleeves. Kind of like 'Silent Hakka' I guess, if I may say.
Hakka laid a good foundation of water passages and canals system in Yilan, one History Professor says.
- Yilan is the first in Taiwan to build 'Sports Park'. For example, he says, Taipei Daan Forest Park followed Yilan's footstep in this regard.
- Yilan initiated 'Old House Revival' urban project in Taiwan. The example he gave me was opposite Yilan Literature Museum (where we had a lovely Japanese meal), the Luna Plaza (Formerly Yilan County Prison).
The museum, most noticeably, is made famous by Takeshi Kaneshiro's cell phone commercial!
TAIWANESE 'ALMOND TOFU' - Almond tofu is not almond, but can be tofu.
Almond is in fact apricot kernel. The confusing comes from the Chinese name 杏 which can be either almond or apricot. Some may argue it is not 'tofu' but jelly. However, I have witnessed the phenomenal process in the kitchen of Howard Hotel Taiwanese cuisine restaurant (The Penglai House) and the laborious process resembles tofu making.
Distinctive Taiwanese ingredient vs said Cantonese is peanuts - which I could claim make it Taiwanese.
Photos taken at 'Penglai House' restaurant, Howard Hotel, Taipei.
Yilan and Almond Tofu: Yilan 'Du Xiao Yue' is the creator of Taiwanese almond tofu. Before then, it is not a 'classic' Taiwanese treats. I have been promised a thorough Yilan 'Du-Xiao Yue' trip in due course. Look forward to that!
2. North Gate
During a dinner - Koo Hsien-jung is brought up. Whether Koo is considered 'traitor' for allowing Japanese forces in, the truth is Taipei Citizens was put in terror under The Black Flags led by Liu Yongfu. - an episode of catastrophic pillage and violence.
It was at the time necessary for Japanese forces to come in and restore orders.
History Professor says "The North and West Gate citizens thanked Japanese for coming in
and rescued them"
NOODLE TIDBIT AND SINO-FRENCH WAR 1884:
Liu Yongfu was from a peasant Hakka family in Canton. And it was said, during Sino-French War in the Vietnam battle filed, 'Pho' - a Cantonese type of flat wide rice noodle known created in Vietnam, was Liu's favorite and he had no problems gobbling down a few bowls at any time.
3. John Dodd (Founder of Formosa Oolong Tea)
Baptism: 11 Nov 1838 St John, Preston, Lancashire, England
John Dodd - [Child] of John Dodd & Nanny
Abode: Shambles
Occupation: Butcher
Baptised by: Charles Wagstaff Curate
Register: Baptisms 1838 - 1840, Page 56, Entry 444
I found Dodd's baptism certificate online in 2014. Struck me some interesting 'Behind the Name' that I learned:
Nanny - Dodd mother's name. "The name Nanny is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Nanny is: Grace". Niki Alsford may have found her called 'Nancy' in some more recent official documents.
Shambles - a butcher's slaughterhouse. Also today's 'a State of total disorder'
FORTHCOMING EVENT DADAOCHENG:
Dongfang Meiren (Oriental Beauty. White Tip Oolong) 1869 - 2019
This variety of tea originated in 1869, when Taiwan first exported oolong tea. John Dodd exported this tea to the West from his tamsui base home.
A plan is being made, sponsored by Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs, for its 150 anniversary in Dadaocheng 2019. We hope and work to invite Dodd's 4th generation from Wales to join us celebrating ancestral Dodd's contribution to Taiwan Tea Industry.
4. Formosa Past in Dutch Village
Lastly and lately, with the popularity of 'Lord of Formosa' by Joyce Bergvelt. Dutch-Formosa stories seems to be the kind of materials inspire Western readers. The timing was good and it delivered a little bit colour and twist that no other kind of 'Taiwan guide book' can do and people want. There has been relating article since.
BUT, no one knows Dutch-Formosa story better than the blogger of 'The Hambroek affair' also linked in the heading.
Heads-up: Check out the Comments Threads. So interesting and informative!!
Sample:
The Best novel of this theme based on scientifical (medical) research and findings and historic documents is 福爾摩沙三族記. A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa Written by Dr Chen Yao-Chang, Professor Doctor of Hematology.
Trailer. "A Tales of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa". Pingpu (Siraya), Han and Dutch.
2. North Gate
3. John Dodd
4. Formosa Past in Dutch Village
I am taking this opportunity to note down tidbits arriving in my attention from recent events since my last post. And report on some interesting 'discoveries' through a private group 'Taiwan-Old-Families' I was invited to join two months ago.
Equally important, directing you to GREAT links by the best, in my opinion, bilingual Micro-Historian of Taiwan in this half-century.
1. Yilan
There are many private antique collectors in Taiwan who prefer keeping a low profile like this one - a History Professor in Yilan. On the other hand, he was also excited to share in the right circumstances to the right people. He bought a 4-floor building specifically for 'storage' - first floor mainly books, I could not contain my surprise reaching the third floor - rooms and rooms of bowls & dishes and there was more!
Taiwan's most prominent exposition 1935. Taipei.
 |
| A souvenir stamp of the above. (taken from a book on the 1935 exposition) Lanyang Museum current owner. |
Opened in 2012, closed in 2016 due to lease expiry. Now Chien is building a new museum at a new location and hoping to reopen by Feb 2019, he told me.
This is the new location - overlooking beautiful Yilan landscapes. It couldn't have been more Yilan, more Taiwan. He sold 1000+ items at the closure of the first one, as stated in the museum facebook page) It is the only museum dedicating to Taiwan's old bowl&dish, he said, and the entire collection is from one person - himself.
NOTES:
- Hakka in Yilan: My understanding is Hakka contributed (during Qing Dynasty) significantly in terms of constructions and yet they aren't today necessarily identified as 'Hakka'. It didn't seem important or necessary for Yilan Hakka to wear their origin or identity in their sleeves. Kind of like 'Silent Hakka' I guess, if I may say.
Hakka laid a good foundation of water passages and canals system in Yilan, one History Professor says.
- Yilan is the first in Taiwan to build 'Sports Park'. For example, he says, Taipei Daan Forest Park followed Yilan's footstep in this regard.
- Yilan initiated 'Old House Revival' urban project in Taiwan. The example he gave me was opposite Yilan Literature Museum (where we had a lovely Japanese meal), the Luna Plaza (Formerly Yilan County Prison).
The museum, most noticeably, is made famous by Takeshi Kaneshiro's cell phone commercial!
TAIWANESE OPERA 歌仔戱:
Yilan was a dominant Fujian Zhangzhou society (93%) over Quanzhou during Qing dynasty. Evident Folk Culture influence is the koa-á-hì Taiwanese Opera and Puppet Show 傀儡戲.
The earliest koa-á-hì form adopted elements of Zhangzhou 'folk songs' koa-á based on local tales. The -hì meaning opera is a latter Taiwanese development.
哭調 CRYING SOUND - MOURNFUL VOICE- TRAGIC TAIWAN HISTORY: The Crying Sound is developed from and an expression of Taiwan's tragic and troubled history. I am not an expert, so I can't tell. But more koa-á-hì knowledgeable persons can identify or distinct between Taiwanese mourns from others.
Almond is in fact apricot kernel. The confusing comes from the Chinese name 杏 which can be either almond or apricot. Some may argue it is not 'tofu' but jelly. However, I have witnessed the phenomenal process in the kitchen of Howard Hotel Taiwanese cuisine restaurant (The Penglai House) and the laborious process resembles tofu making.
Distinctive Taiwanese ingredient vs said Cantonese is peanuts - which I could claim make it Taiwanese.
Photos taken at 'Penglai House' restaurant, Howard Hotel, Taipei.
Yilan and Almond Tofu: Yilan 'Du Xiao Yue' is the creator of Taiwanese almond tofu. Before then, it is not a 'classic' Taiwanese treats. I have been promised a thorough Yilan 'Du-Xiao Yue' trip in due course. Look forward to that!
2. North Gate
During a dinner - Koo Hsien-jung is brought up. Whether Koo is considered 'traitor' for allowing Japanese forces in, the truth is Taipei Citizens was put in terror under The Black Flags led by Liu Yongfu. - an episode of catastrophic pillage and violence.
It was at the time necessary for Japanese forces to come in and restore orders.
History Professor says "The North and West Gate citizens thanked Japanese for coming in
and rescued them"
NOODLE TIDBIT AND SINO-FRENCH WAR 1884:
Liu Yongfu was from a peasant Hakka family in Canton. And it was said, during Sino-French War in the Vietnam battle filed, 'Pho' - a Cantonese type of flat wide rice noodle known created in Vietnam, was Liu's favorite and he had no problems gobbling down a few bowls at any time.
 |
| Liu & The Black Flags in Kaohsiung, Meinong |
 |
| Liu's public beheading of a Japanese Commander (Xiamen?) |
Baptism: 11 Nov 1838 St John, Preston, Lancashire, England
John Dodd - [Child] of John Dodd & Nanny
Abode: Shambles
Occupation: Butcher
Baptised by: Charles Wagstaff Curate
Register: Baptisms 1838 - 1840, Page 56, Entry 444
I found Dodd's baptism certificate online in 2014. Struck me some interesting 'Behind the Name' that I learned:
Nanny - Dodd mother's name. "The name Nanny is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Nanny is: Grace". Niki Alsford may have found her called 'Nancy' in some more recent official documents.
Shambles - a butcher's slaughterhouse. Also today's 'a State of total disorder'
FORTHCOMING EVENT DADAOCHENG:
Dongfang Meiren (Oriental Beauty. White Tip Oolong) 1869 - 2019
This variety of tea originated in 1869, when Taiwan first exported oolong tea. John Dodd exported this tea to the West from his tamsui base home.
A plan is being made, sponsored by Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs, for its 150 anniversary in Dadaocheng 2019. We hope and work to invite Dodd's 4th generation from Wales to join us celebrating ancestral Dodd's contribution to Taiwan Tea Industry.
4. Formosa Past in Dutch Village
Lastly and lately, with the popularity of 'Lord of Formosa' by Joyce Bergvelt. Dutch-Formosa stories seems to be the kind of materials inspire Western readers. The timing was good and it delivered a little bit colour and twist that no other kind of 'Taiwan guide book' can do and people want. There has been relating article since.
BUT, no one knows Dutch-Formosa story better than the blogger of 'The Hambroek affair' also linked in the heading.
Heads-up: Check out the Comments Threads. So interesting and informative!!
Sample:
The Best novel of this theme based on scientifical (medical) research and findings and historic documents is 福爾摩沙三族記. A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa Written by Dr Chen Yao-Chang, Professor Doctor of Hematology.
Trailer. "A Tales of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa". Pingpu (Siraya), Han and Dutch.
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