Kaohsiung Hamasen Daitian Temple Introduction
"Hamasen" is the old name for the southern part of the Gushan District in Kaohsiung City today. This area was originally a marine zone, and during the Japanese colonial period, the authorities utilized the dredged soil from the port to create new land. This new land was connected to the commercial port, fishing port, and fish market by two coastal railways, referred to in Japanese as "Hamasen." The local residents call it "Ha-ma-sing" in Taiwanese. Hamasen marks the starting point of the modernization of Kaohsiung Port and was once the economic and political center of Kaohsiung, flourishing at one time. The Daitian Temple was built in 1951, where the main deity worshipped is the Five Masters, who are manifestations of the Daitianfu from Nangunshan. Other deities include the Chifufu, Qing Shui Ancestor, and Guanyin among others. A beautifully designed archway stands in front of the temple, and the temple itself is built in the southern Chinese temple architectural style, exuding grandeur. The temple roof features a heavy eaves and a unique design, with exquisite decorations of figures, beasts riding, pavilions, flowers, and birds skillfully carved. The interior of the temple is adorned with intricate paintings and sculptures that depict traditional folk stories such as the meeting in the Jade Pool, the Eighteen Arhats, and the gathering of ten thousand immortals, with various and lifelike forms of ceramic statues. The door gods and deity sculptures inside the San Chuan Hall are crafted by the renowned artist Pan Li-shui, whose dignified and magnificent images are rare artistic treasures. The Daitian Temple serves as the spiritual center and gathering place for the residents of Hamasen, with numerous food stalls in the square that attract many worshippers, making it a prime site to experience the local customs and culture of Kaohsiung.
