Renwu Temple, Chiayi Introduction
The well-visited historical site, Rénwǔ Temple, dates back to the Ming Dynasty during the Yongli reign when Zheng Chenggong made Taiwan his base to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. At that time, many early settlers from Zhangzhou and Quanzhou in Mainland China migrated to Taiwan for cultivation. Among them, some people from Tong'an County in Quanzhou brought along the statue of Baosheng Dadi to Taiwan, seeking protection. In the 27th year of Yongli (1673), during Zheng Jing's westward expedition, the troops stationed in the Fengshan area (now Renwu Township, Kaohsiung County) were transferred to the Zhu Luo area (now Chiayi City) for defense, during which the troops from Quanzhou also welcomed the statue of Baosheng Dadi to the Zhu Luo area to serve as the guardian deity for both military and civilians. In the 31st year of Yongli (1677), the soldiers built a small shrine to worship Baosheng Dadi, marking the early establishment of Rénwǔ Temple. By the 40th year of the Kangxi reign (1701), the county magistrate of Zhu Luo, Mao Fenglun, promoted the construction of a full temple, commemorating the deity as being revered by the soldiers from Rénwǔ, and renamed the temple Rénwǔ Temple, becoming the oldest temple dedicated to Baosheng Dadi in the Chiayi area. After the temple was built, it underwent multiple renovations and expansions during the Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng periods. In the 13th year of the Japanese Showa era (1938), due to the implementation of the Japanization policy, the city official Chuan Tian ordered the demolition of 63 temples in the city, and all temple properties were confiscated by the Japanese. The statue of Baosheng Dadi was moved to Chenghuang Temple, and the temple property was occupied by the Japanese, who opened the Nanhe Commercial Firm. This destruction caused extensive damage to cultural artifacts within Rénwǔ Temple, resulting in a significant loss for historical preservation. After World War II ended in the 34th year of the Republic of China (1945), local gentry pooled resources to buy back the property of Rénwǔ Temple and rebuild it. On the first day of the first month of the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947), they welcomed Baosheng Dadi back to the temple for the installation ceremony, restoring worship at Rénwǔ Temple. In the 50th year of the Republic of China (1961), further renovations were made, including the restoration of the front hall walls and roof, and new cement columns were constructed for the four-pillar pavilion, side corridors, and worship hall, with a mix of original wood columns and cement columns in the main hall. Rénwǔ Temple presents an imposing appearance, with intricately carved beams and colorful glazed tiles on the roof, decorated with vivid paper-cut flowers, birds, and figures. Currently, the entire structure is built from camphor wood, preserving its historical value. The Deities of the Civil and Military Gates are artistically painted by Master Pan Lishui, adding artistic value. Despite multiple renovations, the original appearance of the temple remains intact, showcasing exquisite paintings, stone carvings, wood carvings, clay sculptures, and ridge decorations, making it a magnificent sight. Rénwǔ Temple features a stone incense burner that has been in place for thirty years, originally dedicated to the Dadaogong deity. Due to the belief in the efficacy of the fortune slips obtained from the temple, many visitors come to seek fortunes. According to the temple officials, many believers consider themselves as "godsons" of Baosheng Dadi, a folk custom seeking divine blessings.
