| dc.description.abstract | Taiwan society structure has gradually transformed from migrant settlement into a civil society in the end of 19 century. During the settler phase, there was a greater emphasis on economic development over cultural education. These resulted that the elite class, primarily composed of wealthy and local tyrant individuals, becoming the main leadership in society. However, with the development and evolution of the clan system, the flourishing integration of folk beliefs, the accelerated prosperity of the commercial economy, and the flourishing of the cultural and educational system, a civil society gradually took shaped. After the economy reaches a certain level of development, various gentry classes gradually established and leaded in decision-making and influence over local affairs. This shift slowly transforms society from being dominated by powerful elites to local elites.
＂The Biographies of Taiwanese Gentry＂ is a book published by the Taiwan Governor′s Office in Taisho 5th (1916 AD). It introduces the biographies of Taiwanese gentry who were awarded gentry titles by the Japanese authorities from the establishment of the ＂The rule of Taiwanese Gentry Title＂ to April 1916. The award was issued to those who are gentlemen residing in the countryside and have held official positions or passed examinations, as well as those with literary accomplishments, moral integrity, and wealth. The entire book lists a total of 1,031 biographies and portraits of local elites. It is an indispensable historical source for understanding Taiwan society during the late Qing and early Japanese colonial periods.
Huang Yujie, from Wuchagang in Dadu Zhongbao, Changhua County (now Wuchi, Taichung), was born on April 25, 1850(Daoguang 30, Qing era) and passed away on August 10, 1918( Taisho 7 Japanese era), alias Zenghua, with the Dao name Yunhui and another alias Ying zhou San ren. He is an elder of the Pre-Heaven Sect of the Zhaijiao in Taiwan. After preaching in Tamsui in 1872, he settled in Dadaocheng, Rixin Street. He lived through the late Qing Dynasty and the early years of Japanese rule, passing away at the age of 69. During the Qing Dynasty, he participated in the Sino-French War and was awarded the fifth-grade military merit. During his medical career, he repeatedly participated in the diagnosis and treatment of epidemic diseases in Taiwan (such as cholera, plague, etc.). In 1901, he held the first ＂Taiwan Medical License＂ certificate, becoming a renowned doctor in Dadaocheng during the Japanese colonial period, and served in key positions in various official and private organizations.
Huang Yujie established the Taipei Natural Foot Association and served as the president of the Haircut Reform Association in Dadaocheng. He played a significant role in promoting Taiwan′s modernization movement. In the late Meiji and early Taisho periods, he served as the district chief of Dadaocheng and concurrently of Dalongdong. He also worked as a counselor at Taipei Prison, where he established a new shelter for the protection and rehabilitation of ex-offenders. In Meiji 30th (1897), he was awarded the Gentry title. In Taisho 4th (1915), he was appointed as the representative of the Taiwanese people, participated in the coronation ceremony of Emperor Taisho, and was awarded the Order of the Precious Crown, sixth class. He was the first contemporary gentleman introduced in ＂ The Biographies of Taiwanese Gentry. In Taisho 7th (1918), he passed away at the Zhi Shan Hall in Taipei due to diabetes. The Zhi Shan Hall preserves primary historical materials such as medical texts, books, diaries, prescriptions, and letters authored by Huang Yujie which are of absolute historical value for exploring Huang′s character, beliefs, thoughts, and life.
The founder of the Ying Society, Hsieh Ru-chuan, wrote a poem to remember him that says: ＂The prescription is marvelous and he is a master of Chinese medicine; Deeply understand the essence of Buddhism yet not flaunting it. Grasping the political power of the Da Jiang District, may the brothers fulfil the unfinished wish “.
Huang Yujie is a very important yet overlooked local gentry in Taiwan′s history. He was not only a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner but also a religious figure, and he played a significant role in Taiwan′s modernization. Previous research has explored Huang Yujie′s social participation, his contributions to Taiwan′s public health, medicine and religion. This study will gather various data to reorganize and construct the personality traits of Huang Yujie and his impact on Taiwanese society throughout his life. | en_US |