WUFENG LINS- People Story
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| 林俊明 霧峰林家宮保第 Wufeng Lin Gong Bao Di 林本堂股份有限公司總經理 https://www.wufenglins.com.tw/contact.php |
LIN FAMILY HOST 林俊明 霧峰林家宮保第 (Wufeng Lins Gong Bao Di) whom I met a number of times through a private 'Taiwan Old Family' group has told me he was touched to see Khan Lee 李崗's effort and passion in preserving his family history by producing ''The Legend of Ataabu' 阿罩霧風雲 and he recommends. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD-WNkbHK90)
We were given a VIP treatment and throughout the day, Lin's immense knowledge and passion came across in abundance. Wufeng Lins real people story may not have been fully accounted for but the significant and influential role this historical family plays in modern Taiwan history is told in Johanna Menzel Meskill's dedicated "A Chinese Pioneer Family: The Lins of Wu-feng, Taiwan, 1729-1895" - "a first and crucial book on our family", as Lin pointed out, and "we are currently seeking Meskill family's consent for re-prints".
THIS POST by Michael Turton provides details of the extensive Lin family complex.
THIS POST by Michael Turton provides details of the extensive Lin family complex.
I, however, would like to start with something astounding which I have only become aware of by this visit at Jing Xun Lou 景薰樓
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| Jing Xun Lou 景薰樓 |
(Also known as C. K. Yen, Yen was a Kuomintang politician. He succeeded Chiang Kai-shek as President of the Republic of China upon Chiang's death on 5 April 1975 and served out the remainder of Chiang's term until 20 May 1978)
During 228 incident, and in fact on Feb 28 1947, some documented 100 Mainland Chinese 阿山 were killed, and 900 more were beaten, tortured and injured by angry Taiwanese. Yen took refuge with Lin Xian-tang, right here in the attic above Lin's bedroom. Detailed accounts of Mainland Chinese victimized by Taiwanese mobs was documented by a Shanghai journalist 唐賢龍 in 台灣事變內幕記. Lin Xian-tang, although a powerful Taiwanese politician from a family of enormous means did not escape being confronted, risking his own to protect Yen.
WE BEGAN THE DAY by tributes to The Lins ancestors -
Worship & ritual dishes and vessels used in 1921
Jingziting (敬字亭)
"Treasuring the Written Word" Pagoda
One of the two ornate Jingziting I have seen - the other in Banqiao Lin Family Garden.
The two Lins are related by marriage.
This pagoda tradition, I believe, was destroyed in China. I had tried looking for them in Fujian, Hakka community. Was shown two 'burner holes', but the respecting literature tradition is hard to trace.
WE ARRIVED AT 議蘆 FOR LUNCH. 議蘆 Restaurant - formerly Taiwan Provincial Council built in 1958 - is managed by Wufeng Farmers' Association, the new owner since January 2019.
There is a lot I can relate with this restaurant - Wufeng Farmer's Association played a significant role in my first co-authored article on 'The History of Mushrooms in Taiwan' with Steven Crook (a year later, co-author of 'A Culinary History of Taipei').
Restaurant kitchen is run by Tian-ma-ma 田媽媽 (Mother Tian) which we covered in our book on a success story of indigenous chef Yabung Tally -
Aware that WTO membership was about to put great pressure on the agricultural sector, in 2001 the Taiwan Council of Agriculture (COA) launched its Tian Mama (Mother Tian) initiative. The Chinese character tián means “field,” and is also a fairly common surname in Taiwan. The program aims to help women in farming communities monetize their cooking skills and knowledge of local produce by opening restaurants or shops selling homemade delicacies. According to an April 16, 2008, report on the COA’s website, with the help made available through Tian Mama, women can transform and improve themselves in order to provide employment opportunities.The women use locally produced food materials from farming or fishing to cook diversified, delicious and locally unique cuisine. Working in concert with recreational farms, they form a supply-chain in local villages so that women can work and earn extra income with experts in fields such as food hygiene, nutrition, process and....
Not long after I sat down and chatted with the gentleman introduced to me as grandson of Dr Tu Tsung-ming, I realised I visited their home in Colorado when I arrived in US for a graduate study in mid 1980s. His parents and mine are good friends.
Both Tu TM 杜聰明 (1893-1986) and one of his sons Anthony Tu 杜祖健 (1930-) are Taiwan's foremost toxicology experts,Tu TM pioneered snake venom research in Taiwan.
Anthony Tu is the author of "Chemical and Biological Weapons and Terrorism"
LIN HSIEN-TANG MUSEUM.
WE ARRIVED AT 議蘆 FOR LUNCH. 議蘆 Restaurant - formerly Taiwan Provincial Council built in 1958 - is managed by Wufeng Farmers' Association, the new owner since January 2019.
There is a lot I can relate with this restaurant - Wufeng Farmer's Association played a significant role in my first co-authored article on 'The History of Mushrooms in Taiwan' with Steven Crook (a year later, co-author of 'A Culinary History of Taipei').
Restaurant kitchen is run by Tian-ma-ma 田媽媽 (Mother Tian) which we covered in our book on a success story of indigenous chef Yabung Tally -
Aware that WTO membership was about to put great pressure on the agricultural sector, in 2001 the Taiwan Council of Agriculture (COA) launched its Tian Mama (Mother Tian) initiative. The Chinese character tián means “field,” and is also a fairly common surname in Taiwan. The program aims to help women in farming communities monetize their cooking skills and knowledge of local produce by opening restaurants or shops selling homemade delicacies. According to an April 16, 2008, report on the COA’s website, with the help made available through Tian Mama, women can transform and improve themselves in order to provide employment opportunities.The women use locally produced food materials from farming or fishing to cook diversified, delicious and locally unique cuisine. Working in concert with recreational farms, they form a supply-chain in local villages so that women can work and earn extra income with experts in fields such as food hygiene, nutrition, process and....
Not long after I sat down and chatted with the gentleman introduced to me as grandson of Dr Tu Tsung-ming, I realised I visited their home in Colorado when I arrived in US for a graduate study in mid 1980s. His parents and mine are good friends.
Both Tu TM 杜聰明 (1893-1986) and one of his sons Anthony Tu 杜祖健 (1930-) are Taiwan's foremost toxicology experts,Tu TM pioneered snake venom research in Taiwan.
Anthony Tu is the author of "Chemical and Biological Weapons and Terrorism"
(Dr. Anthony Tu is the world’s leading expert on the Tokyo sarin attacks and is much sought after globally for his insight on chemical and biological weapons and weapons of mass destruction. He has written, co-authored, and edited 40 books in chemistry and weapons studies in his decades-long career. Dr. Tu also played an integral role in the investigation of the sarin attacks, the first chemical terrorism attack on record, pivoting the entire direction of the investigation with his knowledge of how the chemical weapon would leave deposits on surrounding soil..)
AFTER THE DELICIOUS AND DELIGHTFUL LUNCH, we were taken to where the 'Garden' is Mingtai High School - The only private garden in Taiwan that is also a school, or the only private school in Taiwan that is also a family garden.
We were given a warm welcome by senior staff. While enjoying moon cake made by culinary students with Lin's own-grown Earl Grey tea, school history tracing back to 1932 was presented.
Opened in May 2019 and a MUST visit. Full of original artifacts we see only duplicates reprints elsewhere.
Photography prohibited. But a couple of group members pointed out to me New Year's Greeting card from my great grandfather - Tamsui Hong I-nan, and on my request, I was allowed to capture the two cards.
Interesting Note - Most these greeting cards are on white/cream background, which is the Japanese tradition. Red is Chinese.
Photography prohibited. But a couple of group members pointed out to me New Year's Greeting card from my great grandfather - Tamsui Hong I-nan, and on my request, I was allowed to capture the two cards.
Interesting Note - Most these greeting cards are on white/cream background, which is the Japanese tradition. Red is Chinese.
JING XUN LOU 景薰樓 Built in 1864, was a place which Lin Hsin-tang once lived in and rebuilt after 1883, adding in the courtyard grapevine rooftop.
I was kind of obsessed with this MAGNIFICENT STONE GRAPEVINE ROOFTOP when I was told what it was! Grapevine shelter was a very Taiwan thing back in 1950 - 60s we had a couple of bamboo top at my first home Liaoning Street - Cool! as in fun and keep away heat.
ON ENTERING WOMEN'S QUARTER - we were explained Lins ladies' bathing facilities
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| Deep twin pools - left for hot water, right for cold. |
中部綠 CENTRAL (TAIWAN) GREEN
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| Lin explains this kind of green is called 中部綠 Central (Taiwan) Green |
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| Clearly proud of this room, Lin explains and where his art preservation knowledge really shows - this room is the only 'In-situ conservation' in Taiwan and the Lins are the only family that keep original paintings and calligraphy of this era (Qing dynasty) in their family residence- they otherwise live in museums. He also took length explain how these are preserved, the procedures, the chemical and applications. As well as why he insisted they stayed here 'on site' so an authentic sense of Lin family history can be presented. Kudos! |
IN HAN CHINESE STYLE COURT HOUSE, it is common to see such sculptures (barbarians. foreigners) lifting the
rooftops as an implication for an eternal punishment. Seen after the British
Sino war.
Before
the War, deco would be monsters or evils.
Sometimes
it would be a giant too to symbolize the mighty force helping the household.(Source - Willie Chen http://chenwillie.blogspot.com/)
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| One of the roof barbarians pair who wore glasses |
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY as the evening drew closer is Great Flower Hall (大花廳): This ceremonial hall, accompanied by an exquisite theatrical stage and outdoor seating, was used to host public banquets. Construction begun in 1890, completed c.1894.
Turton: The area around the stage was large enough to permit the hundreds of troops and servants to watch. Not only did the complex have quarters for several hundred troops, it had over 200 servants, and boasted stables, food processing, and storage areas, as well as workshops for the manufacture of guns and powder.
BRUCE LINGHU令狐榮達 was an invited honorary guest for the evening who generously shared thoughts and expertise on promoting Taichung and Taiwan as well as gifting us famous Taichung Sun Cakes to take home! (Bruce Linghu is a Taiwanese diplomat. He was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) from 24 September 2015 until 20 May 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Linghu)
AND I AM GOING TO INDULGE MYSELF POSTING PHOTOS, BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL AND MESMERIZING EVENING. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN AND IMMENSELY GRATEFUL BEING PART OF IT.
There are 4 to 6 water tanks right beneath the
wooden stage in order to get a resonant effect performed under the vault
ceiling. The two levels audience areas enclosure also helps to amplify the
sound generated in the raised central stage.
The idea and form itself is so close to the
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in Thames London ever built in 17th century. (Source - Willie Chen)
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Lin arranged a Taichung special afternoon-tea and on my request, provided the list of shops supplying the food:
1.
zongzi 肉粽-金華-向上市場 (30年排隊老店)。
2. Corchorus capsularis soup made with
sweet potato mochi 蔴薏湯-水湳市場 (中部特產30多年的老店)
3.
braised chicken feet 魯味-有春，台中傳統口味，最接地氣、用心的名店。
4.
Chinese traditional confectionery 中式糕點-林金生香-傳承153年的糕餅店
5. Osmanthus jelly cake 桂花糕-台中以茶會友的茶師們，口耳相傳的隱藏版茶點。
6. Almond tea 杏仁茶-三時茶房，台中很是低調的老店，以香醇的杏仁茶聞名 |
Mayors and Politician table - including Bruce Linghu (Taichung) and James Tsai 蔡仁堅 Hsinchu mayor 1997-2001 |
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| 'Taiwan Old Family' Together We Piece Taiwan and Peace Forward |
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| Wufeng Lins Photo Album (1897-1947) Such precious gift! Each page is a history, a story. And each is something you see flying around somewhere but never collective. Thank You! |
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| 1934 Wufeng Women's Research Association |
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Prior to 1941 Pacific War -
Japanese ordered four Taiwanese family donate fighter aircraft.
Each here representing one.
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Given by Mayor Bruce Linghu - a 'new' type of popular Taichung sun cake
made with 'fresh milk'.
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