Kaohsiung Pier-2 Art Center Introduction
"Hamasen" is the former name of the southern area of Gushan District in Kaohsiung City today. Originally a sea area, it was transformed into land during the Japanese colonial period when the authorities used dredged soil from the port to fill in the waters and create new land. Due to the presence of two coastal railways leading to commercial and fishing ports, it was referred to in Japanese as "Hamasen." Local residents call it "Ha-ma-sing" in Taiwanese. Hamasen is located at the beginning of Kaohsiung Port's modernization and the terminus of the railway, and it used to be the origin of the city's political and economic center, flourishing for a time. The Daitian Temple at Hamasen was built in 1951, and the main deity is the Wufu Qiansui, originating from Nankunshen Daitian Temple, along with other deities such as Chifu Qiansui, Qingshui Zushi, and Guanyin. A magnificent archway is built in front of the temple, which is designed in the Huanan-style temple architecture, solemn and brilliant. The temple roof, constructed in the double-eaved hip-style, is intricately decorated with fine craftsmanship portraying characters, beasts, pavilions, flowers, and birds; the colorful paintings and carvings inside the hall tell traditional folk stories such as those of the Jade Pool meeting, the Eighteen Arhats, and the Grand Assembly of All Immortals, featuring vivid and diverse forms of ceramic figures. The door gods and deity sculptures in the San-Chuan Hall are created by the renowned artist Pan Lishui, and the dignified and luxurious idols have become rare artistic treasures. The Daitian Temple serves as the faith center and gathering place for the residents of Hamasen, with many small food stalls in the square attracting numerous worshippers, making it the folk tourism destination that best showcases the local culture of Kaohsiung.
