Chiayi Travel: Ancient Houses in Yizhu Village

Travel date: 2024/05/18

While traveling to Tainan City, we made stops to visit some places along the way. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't favorable, with occasional clouds and rain. Our first stop was Yizhu Village in Chiayi, a small village bordering Yanshui District of Tainan, where we also visited afterward.

I had found a beautifully looking house on Google Maps, and according to the website and reviews, it was supposed to be open for visits on weekends. However, it was closed when we arrived, which was disappointing as the house appeared very intriguing. Additionally, neighbors warned us about the presence of aggressive dogs inside, advising against entering on our own. With no doorbell or information available, and hearing from others that they ventured inside cautiously due to the dogs, we decided to abandon the idea. Despite being recognized as a historical building, Wengqingjiang Ancient House isn't inaccessible to the public.

Later, we explored another ancient building in the area, Yizhu Cunde Hall. Though perhaps not as visually striking as the first house, it housed numerous memorials from a former President of the Judicial Yuan. The owner graciously provided us with a tour, showcasing the memorials, and even escorted us to another ancestral building nearby. Despite its state of ruin, the building was captivating to explore, and the weather added to the atmosphere of the ancient remains. It's regrettable to think that many of these antique details, not commonly seen in modern houses, may vanish with time.

We also made a brief stop in Yanshui District, where we visited two places we had missed on previous visits. The first was Yanshui Train Station, an old station once part of the Sugar Factory, and the remains of a Japanese Shrine located on the grounds of a local elementary school. 

I've visited several remnants of Japanese Shrines lately. It's interesting, considering I had never harbored a desire to visit Japan, yet I appreciate Japanese architecture in Taiwan. I understand this might be a sensitive topic, as some people may have negative sentiments towards Japan due to historical reasons, but it remains a part of Taiwan's history.

For more details on the places we visited in Tainan, please refer to my other post HERE.

Wengqingjiang Ancient House (翁清江古厝)

The Weng Qingjiang House, a county-designated historic site, has been meticulously restored to its former splendor. On December 27th, County Magistrate Zhang Huaguan and Weng Qihui, Dean of Academia Sinica and a descendant of the Weng family, unveiled the renovated site located in Yizhu Township, Chiayi County. After three years of dedicated restoration work, the house will now be open to the public on a limited basis, allowing visitors to experience its historical significance firsthand. The Weng family, renowned as the largest family in Yizhu, boasts a rich and illustrious history.

Born in 1877, Weng Qingjiang held public positions during the early years of the Japanese occupation. With extensive administrative experience, he became the first president of Yizhu Village. His notable contributions to the region include significant achievements in road construction, the Bazhang River embankment, and the establishment of Yizhu Public School. The Wengzhai building, designed by Japanese technicians, skillfully integrates Taiwan's traditional three-sided courtyard, Western-style houses, and Japanese architectural features. This blend showcases the creative fusion resulting from Taiwan's diverse cultural exchanges throughout history.

The process of designating Weng Qingjiang's house as a historic site was fraught with challenges. In 2006, the Chiayi County Government recognized the cultural value of the house during a cultural asset survey and sought to preserve this important heritage site in Yizhu. However, communication hurdles arose due to multiple owners. Fortunately, Weng Qihui, a member of the Lailu Bei ethnic group, took the initiative to facilitate communication and address objections one by one. Finally, in 2008, the house was designated as a historic site, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of Wengzhai architecture.

The restoration of Weng Qingjiang House serves as a model for the preservation of private cultural assets in Chiayi County. Driven by familial sentiment, Weng Qihui contributed 51% of the restoration costs, ensuring the smooth progress of the project. He enlisted the expertise of architect Zhang Yuhuang, renowned for resurrecting old houses in Tainan, and oversaw the restoration process personally alongside his brother, Shu De Technology University Chair Professor Weng Yinghui. For Dean Weng, the restoration is a testament to his sense of duty towards his family's history and legacy, as well as a cherished cultural legend of Yizhu.

While the Weng Qingjiang House has been restored, it remains the residence of the Weng family. As such, it will be open to the public on a limited basis, respecting the personal privacy rights of its occupants. This limited access provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life to appreciate the story of Yizhu's largest family and the significance of their ancestral home. Visitors can now gain insight into the rich history and cultural heritage preserved within the walls of the Weng Qingjiang House.

Yizhu Cunde Hall - Weng Yuesheng’s Ancestral Residence (義竹存德堂 翁岳生祖居)

Weng Yuesheng, former President of the Judicial Yuan, hails from Yizhu Township, Chiayi County. In a heartfelt gesture honoring his roots, he generously donated his ancestral home, a historical residence dating back 116 years, built by his great-grandfather, Mr. Weng Ban. Alongside the residence, he contributed his personal collection of books, artworks, and cultural relics to the Yizhu Township office. This donation marks the inauguration of "Cunde Hall," named after Weng Yuesheng's father's traditional Chinese medicine shop, which served as a space for self-study and other activities for students.

"Cunde Hall," constructed during the 39th year of the Meiji period (1906 AD) under Japanese colonial rule, boasts a traditional three-sided courtyard architectural style, reminiscent of southern Fujian architecture in Taiwan. Renovated in 2000 and gifted by President Lee Teng-hui during his lifetime, the hall symbolizes Weng Yuesheng's commitment to giving back to his community upon his retirement in 2007.

Throughout his tenure, Weng Yuesheng played a pivotal role in appointing justices to the Judicial Yuan and advocating for judicial reform. His contributions spanned the restoration of China's constitutional status, protection of individual freedoms, and establishment of the rule of law. His dedication to administrative law and constitutional studies left an indelible mark on Taiwan's legal landscape.

Following Weng Yuesheng's donation, the Yizhu Township office undertook the restoration of the ancestral home, preserving its architectural authenticity. Study rooms, exhibition spaces, and reading areas were meticulously planned to facilitate learning and reflection. The donated books, certificates, and personal items serve as testaments to Weng Yuesheng's lifelong commitment to education and societal contribution.

Huang Ajia, Mayor of Yizhu Township, expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing the importance of preserving Weng Yuesheng's legacy for future generations. The renovated Cunde Hall will serve as a hub for educational activities, exhibitions, and community gatherings, enriching the cultural fabric of Yizhu.

Weng Zhangliang, echoing sentiments of pride and gratitude, hailed Weng Yuesheng as a model citizen of Yizhu, whose philanthropy and dedication to public service inspire generations to come. The unveiling ceremony, attended by dignitaries and locals alike, provided a platform to delve into Taiwan's judicial history and honor Weng Yuesheng's remarkable contributions.

In an interview, Weng Yuesheng reflected on his journey, expressing profound gratitude to the people and land of Yizhu for shaping his identity and success. His generosity serves as a testament to the enduring bond between individuals and their communities, underscoring the transformative power of giving back.

Former Residence of Weng Qingchun (嘉義義竹翁慶春故居)

Weng Qingchun's Ancient Residence in Yizhu, Chiayi, is a rare gem presented in a traditional courtyard style. Constructed in 1922, this brick structure showcases intricate Chinese architectural elements, though sadly, it now stands abandoned and deteriorating.

The history of the Weng family in Yizhu traces back to Weng Yingrui from Zhao'an, Fujian, during the late Kangxi years. Weng Qingchun, a descendant, was part of this illustrious lineage. However, unlike the restoration efforts seen at the neighboring Weng Qingjiang Ancient House, Weng Qingchun's residence faced neglect and decay.

The configuration of the residence, with its double entrance and guardian dragons, reflects a unique courtyard layout. The central foyer is flanked by two-story Western-style buildings, adding to its grandeur. Despite its current state of disrepair, remnants of its former magnificence can still be discerned.

The design features of Weng Qingchun's Ancient Residence are awe-inspiring. From its elaborate lintel hall numbers to the intricate clay sculptures adorning the walls, every detail speaks of Taiwan's rich traditional craftsmanship. However, time has taken its toll, with sections collapsing and decay evident throughout.

The fate of Weng Qingchun's residence serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage. While efforts were made to restore similar historical buildings in the area, Weng Qingchun's lack of literary prominence led to its neglect. Today, it stands as a silent witness to the passage of time, its once-majestic halls now echoing with memories of bygone eras.

According to research, the eldest man, Renhe, was a literary scholar, and the second eldest brother, Weng Qingchun, was a martial scholar. Weng Renhe’s son is Weng Qingjiang. Today’s Weng Qingjiang house has been restored. However, Weng Qingchun’s ancient residence was not so lucky. In 2007, it was intended to be listed as a historical building. However, there was no follow-up, and it continued to fall into ruins.

Liugui Hall is currently in a very bad state of preservation. Zuoyang Building collapsed, and only the gable remained. The western-style building on the right remains intact but is covered in thick leaves. The left guard dragon maintains well, while the right guard dragon maintains poorly. Almost completely destroyed.

In 2007, the county government planned to list both Weng Qingchun Ancient House and Weng Qingjiang Ancient House as historical buildings and restore them. They listed the easily restored Wengqingjiang House as a historical building and restored it. Weng Qingchun, which had heavy maintenance expenses, was not listed as a historical building. The ancient residence of Weng Qingchun, which had no literary qualifications, was slowly destroyed and disappeared.

Address:

1. Wengqingjiang Ancient House: 624嘉義縣義竹鄉義竹261號

2. Yizhu Cunde Hall: 嘉義縣義竹鄉義竹存德堂

3. Former Residence of Weng Qingchun: 624嘉義縣義竹鄉義竹219號翁慶春故居