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Taiwan-Born Japanese Visit Their School of Long Ago (TAIPEI QUARTERLY 2016 AUTUMN Vol.05)

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Post date:2016-09-29

1929

Reliving Childhood Memories
Taiwan-Born Japanese Visit Their School of Long Ago
Article _ Cai Jiawei
Photos _ Chen Zhengguo, Cai Jiawei

Jian Cheng Junior High School (建成國中), located in Taipei City’s Zhongshan District, was known as Jian Cheng Elementary School ( 建成國小) during Taiwan’s period of Japanese colonial rule. At that time the students, mostly Japanese, with a small number of Taiwanese, were from the old Taipei walled city and Dadaocheng areas. The school boasted comprehensive facilities, including two swimming pools and one sumo-wrestling area, where many top athletes were trained. Following the passage of time, this has become a place of nostalgia for former students of Japanese descent born in Taiwan.
Second-generation Japanese students born in Taiwan during the Japanese era (1895-1945) who studied at Jian Cheng Elementary School were repatriated to Japan with their families following the end of World War II. However, for these students, the thought that “I was born in Taiwan” remains a most precious memory. In more recent times, with the opening up of Taiwan politically, these former students established an alumni association to visit their alma mater in Taiwan once every three years, as well as to carry out exchanges with current Jian Cheng Junior High School students.
TAIPEI AUTUMN 2016 Vol.05 Taiwan-Born Japanese Visit Their School of Long Ago
▲ At the most recent triennial gathering Arai Motoya, the president of the Jian Cheng Elementary School alumni association, talked about his memories of the past. (Photo: Cai Jiawei)


Memories of Things Past
In 2001, the first such trip was organized. That year more than 200 alumni association members returned to Taiwan, accompanied by their family members. This year many of the elderly alumni were not up to the trip due to physical limitations and health reasons, and only eight members came to Taiwan, each nearly 90 years of age. “This is where I used to sit!” exclaimed one. At that time, the red-brick schoolhouse was a palace of learning for many students. In that space, it is as if the past and present have intersected. During their visit the elderly alumni touched each brick and tile of the schoolhouse, symbolizing the handing down of desks and chairs to the following generations of students, and the forming of a connection between new and old memories.
TAIPEI AUTUMN 2016 Vol.05 Taiwan-Born Japanese Visit Their School of Long Ago
▲ Taiwan-born Japanese students who studied at Jian Cheng Elementary School during the Japanese era returned to Taipei to recapture the warm memories of those times. (Photo: Chen Zhengguo)

Arai Motoya, who is 88, is a graduate of Jian Cheng Elementary School and president of the association formed by these Japanese alumni. Thinking about the past, he said that when he was attending Jian Cheng Elementary School he was a member of the sumo-wrestling team. As someone who is fond of sports, he said that he remembers where the stadium and swimming pools were located. Sitting next to him, Ohno Hironari chimed in, “When I was little I loved the school’s sports stadium the most. I especially remember the sports day kibasen (literally cavalry fight, a game similar to shoulder wars or chicken fights) and bo-taoshi (pole toppling) competitions. Even now, I still remember them very clearly!”
For this gathering of the Jian Cheng Elementary School alumni association, Jian Cheng Junior High School prepared an old map of the area surrounding the school during the Japanese era. This map was drawn by Tokumaru Sachio, a graduate of the school’s 15th class. When these elderly alumni saw the map of the school and the houses surrounding it, they excitedly pointed out the route that they took to school, and the places where they played with their friends. Nakata Yoshiko, who is now 85, lived along what is today Zhongshan North Road ( 中山北路) when she was a child. Pointing to the Tokumaru Hair Salon ( 德丸理髮店), she said, “That was my home!” Having not visited Taiwan in a long time, she gazed in wonder at the rows of tall buildings that now line Zhongshan North Road and the old Hayashida Bucket Shop ( 林田桶店) which still stands across from where she used to live, sharing with the group how she and the former owner of that shop were close friends at school. Although this old friend has passed away, she will never forget that time.
TAIPEI AUTUMN 2016 Vol.05 Taiwan-Born Japanese Visit Their School of Long Ago
▲ At the Songjiang Market (松江市場), members of the Jian Cheng Elementary School alumni association looked for their favorite fruits from their elementary school years. (Photo: Chen Zhengguo)

In addition to these eight elderly alumni, a seat was kept for Shigeru Okabe, who passed away last year. Okabe visited Taiwan many times during his lifetime. Taiwan was never far from his mind, even as he grew older. This year his granddaughter, Suzuki Chie, came with the group, as she had heard many stories about Taiwan from her grandfather. She said that, “For his whole life, my grandfather believed that his homeland was Taiwan, and that to have been born in Taiwan was really a wonderful thing!” Though his seat was empty, it was nevertheless filled with countless glorious memories. No matter how much time passes, Jian Cheng Elementary School will always reserve a place for him. As these elderly alumni talked and laughed, that period of history seemed to come to life. Through the memories and eyes of these former students, we can recall Taipei’s past. Behind every smile, the scars of history have gradually healed, hastening in a different and meaningful historical context for this city.

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