Tao Dong Academy Introduction
He mei Dao Dong Academy, a national historic site, was established in the seventh year of the Xianfeng period (1857 AD) and is one of the most complete ancient academies in Taiwan. In recent years, it has undergone restoration, with the beams and columns replaced to restore its former appearance. The academy is adjacent to He mei Junior High School and Elementary School, with the main hall housing the spirit tablet of Zhu Wengong and the statue of Kuixing. The eastern wing is dedicated to the ancestors who contributed to its renovation, while the western wing is for the worship of the God of Wealth. There is also a large section of the original mottled logs used during its initial construction. The courtyard is spacious and lush with greenery, often frequented by people seeking leisure and relaxation throughout the day.
Main Deity: Song Huiguo Wen Gong Zhu Fuzi
Daodong Academy: The layout is square and faces south, consisting of a two-entry four-sided courtyard.
Ancient Plaques: The main hall has plaques reading "Essence of Meeting the Holy" and "Ladder Navigation Mastery."
Entrance Angle: The entrance gate is located at the southeast corner, which is the Xun position, a commonly used entrance angle in ancient times.
Hallway: The facade is three bays wide with three doors.
Courtyard: The center courtyard is quite spacious, with a row of protective rooms on each side.
Lecture Hall: It is three bays wide and five bays deep, exuding an impressive atmosphere.
Beam Frame: The carvings and paintings on the beam frame are quite remarkable.
Circular Doorways on Both Sides of the Lecture Hall: There are circular doorways on both sides of the lecture hall forming a small square courtyard, leading to the ear room, which was traditionally used as the residence of the headmaster.
Just to Let You Know
Daodong Academy has been successfully renovated, attracting much attention from the cultural community. At that time, the awareness of historic site preservation in the country was just emerging. Although it was the first historic site renovation project and had an experimental nature, the construction process sparked considerable controversy. Nevertheless, the successful preservation of the original structure and appearance made the scholars and experts who participated in it proud, and subsequent renovations of other historic sites often followed this method.
Nearby Literary Figure - Chen Xugu's Western-style Building
About four to five kilometers from here in Tuchu Village, named for the abundance of earth houses, local literati Chen Xugu built a luxurious western-style building along the current Hezuo Road over eighty years ago, with a garden covering an area of 5,000 ping. It stands out among the surrounding earth houses, showcasing grandeur and elegance, serving as a landmark building representing status in that era.
Construction
The academy was damaged in the 12th year of the Guangxu era due to a disaster, and was rebuilt the following year. However, due to limited funds, it fell into disrepair over the years. In the 9th year of the Republic, the district chief Xu Changpan, a graduate of the academy, witnessed the dilapidated state of the building and advocated for its renovation. He drafted a set of regulations to serve as guidelines for future reverence.
Layout
The Daodong Academy covers an area of 2,500 ping. Surrounded by walls, it features a connecting wall and a mountain gate facing the southeast. Inside, there is a pond, and the main hall faces south, arranged as a two-entry four-sided courtyard. The entrance hall is three bays wide with three doors, and on the right side of the front courtyard stands a Shiyu Pavilion, which is two stories high and elegantly designed. The central courtyard is spacious, with a guardhouse added on each side. The main hall serves as a lecture hall, also three bays wide and five bays deep, showcasing grandeur. Inside, it houses the deity of Zhuzi, the Confucian scholar from the Song dynasty. To the left and right of the lecture hall are circular doors of the sun and moon, which were once accommodations for the headmaster. The academy's layout is complete, with a welcoming architectural scale and a tranquil atmosphere, fully reflecting the beautiful ancient learning environment. Additionally, the Shiyu Pavilion in front of the western side is commonly found in academies, illustrating the traditional society's respect for written words.
Architectural Decoration
The Daodong Academy exhibits outstanding performances in architectural decoration. For example, the clay sculpture and paper-cut decorations on the roof, as well as the colorful paintings on the beams inside the hall, were completed by the renowned craftsman Ke Huanzhang from Lugang. The design of the patterns or poetry and paintings presents a consistent gentle and cultured style. Moreover, the calligraphy on the plaques also comes from the hands of the famous master Wang Xipin of Lugang, showcasing the rich artistic atmosphere of the ancient academy.
