Camphor Production Office Introduction
Camphor, sugarcane, and tea are known as the three treasures of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty, and the initial prosperity of Jiji Market is closely related to the extraction of camphor. The term "shucchang" originally means "business trip" in Japanese. During the Japanese occupation period in the Showa era, the Japanese government implemented a camphor monopoly system, establishing the "Jiji Camphor Branch" in 1898 (Meiji 31) to manage camphor extraction and sales in a designated area. At that time, camphor was primarily produced using a method called “camphor stove,” where camphor trees were distilled using firewood, taking about 24 hours. After cooling, the camphor steam condensed into white solid camphor sand and camphor oil, which were then carried by porters to the branch for concentration and later transported via the Jiji Line to the main factory in Taipei for refinement into the final product. After the Nationalist government relocated to Taiwan, the camphor industry declined, and the camphor branch lost its original function. It was once used as staff accommodation for the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and has a history of over one hundred years. It is currently the only remaining camphor branch in Taiwan and is a building of significant historical and cultural value. The camphor branch building can be divided into three parts: the office on the right side and the dormitory or hall on the left side, both of which are traditional wooden Japanese-style buildings. The symmetrical and simple main entrance features a porch known as a "yubii," a pavilion-like entrance structure with a wooden roof supported by double columns. The main door is a double-opening type, characterized by a sleek and minimalist architectural style, while the left dormitory showcases a traditional Japanese-style hall. These buildings are interconnected, forming a Japanese architectural style that emphasizes the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, resulting in a simple, bright, and open spatial characteristic. Currently, the camphor branch is managed by the Jiji Township Office on behalf of the National Property Administration, which is seeking funding for phased restoration of the park. The park has been planned as the "Jiji Cultural Industry Park" and hosts various cultural events on an irregular basis while inviting artists to reside and revitalizing the park's culture and charm through arts.
