National Museum of Comic Art (Taichung Prison Drill Hall) Introduction
The current venue is the National Museum of Cartoon Art. The Taichung Prison Martial Arts Arena, located at No. 33, Linsen Road, West District, Taichung City, was built during the Japanese occupation in the 12th year of the Showa era (1937). It served as a dojo for correctional officers and police for daily training and is the only surviving martial arts arena in the city. It has maintained its historical appearance completely, making it of great value for preservation, reuse, and architectural research. The arena complex includes the main building of the arena and the attached buildings on the east side. The main building is constructed in a symmetrical style, with a shrine at the back center, a judo hall on the left side, and a kendo hall on the right side facing the shrine. The arena has seating on only one side and is smaller than similar period buildings like the Wude Hall. The architectural style is a typical martial arts arena from the Japanese occupation period, with a raised foundation, facades imitating wooden structures, and decorative wall columns. The roof is built in a traditional style, featuring large demon tiles and decorative wind boards. The Taichung Prison Martial Arts Arena, built in the 12th year of the Showa era (1937), served as a training ground for correctional officers and police to practice judo and kendo during the Japanese occupation. It was registered as a historic building in 2004.
