Chiayi City Cheng Huang Temple Introduction
The Chiayi City God Temple, also known as Cheng Huang Temple, serves as the local center of faith and symbolizes the guardian deity of the area. This temple has been closely connected to the lives of the citizens of Chiayi City since ancient times, with a thriving incense offering culture. It was established in the 54th year of the Kangxi era (1715), making it nearly 300 years old. The current structure was rebuilt in the 11th year of the Showa era and was completed in the 15th year of Showa (1940). The temple was originally founded in the 54th year of Kangxi (1715) and underwent restoration in the 10th year of Yongzheng (1732). By the 29th year of Qianlong, due to deterioration and risk of collapse, the newly appointed official Zhang Shuo undertook the reconstruction. The current Cheng Huang Temple was rebuilt under the supervision of Wang Jinmu, a master from the Quanzhou Xidi faction, featuring luxurious architecture and a prestigious layout that showcases distinctive wood carving artistry. The octagonal coffered ceiling in the worship hall, along with the bracket sets in the main hall and side rooms, were constructed entirely through mortise and tenon joints without the use of nails, exemplifying remarkable craftsmanship. The temple preserves more than ten treasured artifacts from the Qing Dynasty, including the only plaque in Taiwan granted by the emperor, "Taiyang Xianyou," presented by Prince Regent Wang Delu with the plaque "Daohong Huayu," and tablets issued by various local officials including "Rebuilding Cheng Huang Temple." Other notable contributions include a large abacus from Zhang Daonan of Jinjiang, a tablet from County Magistrate Wang Tinggan for the construction of the Yinling Hall, a plaque "He Sheng Zhuo Ling" donated by educator Su Fengzao, and an "Eliminate Violence and Secure Peace" plaque from the various officials and their generals, totaling 11 invaluable items. The temple, rebuilt by master Wang Jinmu from the Quanzhou Xidi faction, features traditional architectural characteristics and exemplifies a typical street-style temple configuration. The luxurious building regulations, exquisite San Chuan Hall, and intricately crafted worship hall decorations reflect the majestic and solemn atmosphere of the main hall, presenting an aesthetic sense of spatial order. In the worship hall, the water wheel is adorned with exquisite and lifelike glazed pottery masterpieces by renowned artisans Chen Zhuanyou and Lin Tianmu, showcasing extraordinary artistic value. The door god murals were created by master Chen Yufeng, while the deities, ridge decorations, paintings, stone carvings, guardian figures, and wooden sculptures in the temple are all finely crafted.
