Cammphor Bureau Introduction
Camphor, along with sugar and tea, is known as the three treasures of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty. The initial prosperity of the Jiji market was closely related to the extraction of camphor. The term "shutō" originally means business trip in Japanese. During the Showa period of Japanese rule, the Japanese government established a camphor monopoly system and in 1898 (Meiji 31), set up the "Jiji Camphor Office" to manage the extraction and sale of camphor in a designated area. At that time, camphor was primarily produced using the "brain stove" method, where camphor trees were steamed with firewood, taking about 24 hours. After cooling, the steam from the camphor wood formed white solid camphor sand and camphor oil, which were then transported by porters to the office for consolidation, and further refined at the main factory in Taipei, resulting in the final product. After the Nationalist government moved to Taiwan, the camphor industry declined, and the camphor office lost its original function, once serving as housing for employees of the Forestry and Natural Conservation Department. It has a history of over a hundred years and is currently the only remaining camphor office in Taiwan, representing significant historical and cultural value. The architecture of the camphor office can be divided into three parts: the office building on the right and the dormitory or hall on the left, both of which are traditional wooden Japanese structures. The symmetrical and simple main entrance features a porch known as "yubii," which is a pavilion-style entrance structure with a wooden roof and double-column construction. The main door is a double-opening door, characterized by a sleek and minimalist architectural style, while the left dormitory reflects a Japanese-style hall. These buildings are interconnected, forming a Japanese architectural style that emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, characterized by simplicity, brightness, and openness. The camphor office is currently managed by the Jiji Township Office on behalf of the National Property Administration. The office plans to continuously seek funding for the restoration of the park in phases, and has designated the area as the "Jiji Cultural and Industrial Park," where various cultural activities are held irregularly, and efforts are made to attract artists to revitalize the park's cultural and aesthetic appeal.
