Japanese mikoshi reappears in Yunlin Tukuo, retrieving forgotten stories of places

A memory that has disappeared for decades, the Japanese Mikoshi Parade reappeared in Yunlin Tukuo today (25th). A group of young players dressed in Japanese costumes lifted the Japanese Mikoshi and performed, which also opened the special exhibition "Tuku Shrine. Shrine. Mountains and Rivers". Qiu Ziling, chairman of the Yunlin Tuku Knowledge Youth Development Association, the curator, said that through this exhibition and performance, the stories and memories of Tuku that have been gradually forgotten can be retrieved.

Following the rhythm of "Hey show! Hey show!" and the rhythm of drums, eight members of the Tuku Mikoshi team carried the Japanese mikoshi and performed with unique steps, recreating the scene of the Japanese mikoshi on the Tuku street. The faces of the last members of the Mikoshi team, Yan Mingxian and Li Minghui, were full of emotion.

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Qiu Ziling said that the Japanese mikoshi in Tuku had been placed at Tuku Elementary School many years ago. Former town mayor Lin Tingxun discussed with the principal about sending the mikoshi to Suncheon Palace, and the mikoshi team was established. At that time, it fully showed tolerance and allowed Japanese culture to return to Tuku Street after more than 20 years. The last generation of mikoshi team members were brought to local young people to carry the mikoshi.

Qiu Ziling pointed out that this time the mikoshi team was assembled for a performance and was not formally established as a mikoshi troupe. The age range ranged from 20s to over 70, and several of them were mikoshi team members back then. She hoped that through this performance, the story of Toku that was gradually less talked about would be re-visited and there would be an opportunity to reorganize the mikoshi team. Since hundreds of people are required to participate in the circumambulation at one time, in addition to community residents, they will be further trained in schools through clubs in the future.

Chen Tekai, the mayor of Tuku, said that he was very touched when he saw Tuku townspeople and young people investing together. Local stories need to be remembered by someone, and they also need someone willing to take over and do it together. This time, from data collection to mikoshi performance, it shows the power of different generations working hard for Tuku. He hopes that more people will know Tuku and care about the starting point of local culture.

The special exhibition "Toku Shrine, Shrine, Mountain and River" is on display until the 27th. Returning residents and out-of-town tourists are welcome to take advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday to visit Tuku No. 1 Market and learn about the local stories of this town through the mikoshi and exhibitions.