Wu Te-kung ( Chinese: 吳德功; 1850–1924), also known by his courtesy name Ju-neng (汝能) and pseudonym Li-hsuan (立軒), was a native of Changhua, Taiwan, and one of the founders of the Chang Hwa Bank. [1] He made significant contributions to social welfare in the Changhua region, overseeing the establishment of institutions such as the Changhua Infant Care Center, Loyalty Shrine, and Integrity and Filial Piety Shrine. [1] In later years, he actively participated in the restoration and relocation of the Integrity and Filial Piety Shrine of Changhua. [2] Wu's literary works include The Cession of Taiwan (讓臺記), the first chronicle in Taiwan using a dual calendar system of the Western and traditional lunar calendars. He also authored Poetry Manuscript of Juei Tao Chamber (瑞桃齋詩稿), Juei Tao Chamber Prose Anthology (瑞桃齋文稿), and A Brief History of the Rebellion of Tai Chao-chun (戴案紀略), among others.
Activities
During the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan, he was involved in resistance activities, such as organizing the " Lien Chia Chu" (聯甲局, literally "Joint Defense Bureau") at the request of the Taiwan Prefectural Governor in 1895. However, after the failure of the resistance, he went into hiding. [1] Later, due to his reputation, the Japanese authorities invited him to serve in official positions. In 1898, he took a teaching position at the Taichung Normal School and was awarded a Gentry Medal (紳章) in 1902. [1]
In his literary activities, Wu Te-kung participated in poetry gatherings and recitations in Changhua from 1890, including being part of the Li Pu Poetry Society (荔譜吟社), founded by his mentor Tsai Te-hui (蔡德輝). [3] In 1915, local individuals in Changhua founded the Comrades Youth Association, where Wu Te-kung taught Chinese literature. The association was formed by a new generation of intellectuals in Changhua and can be considered a supplementary class for promoting Chinese literature. [3] In 1919, the Taiwan Literary Society was founded, and Wu participated in it. In 1920, he assumed the position of director of the society. [4]
Reference
- ^ a b c d Yu, Yi-Ru (2010). 吳德功的歷史書寫與時代關懷 [Crossing the Great Divide: A Case Study on Wu De-Gong's Writings and His Times]. National Chi Nan University.
- ^ Lin, Wen-lung (1998). 台灣中部的人文 [Humanities in Central Taiwan] (1st ed.). Taipei: CommonWealth Publishing. p. 233. ISBN 957-8491-16-6.
- ^ a b Lee, Chih-hao, ed. (2013). 吳德功集 [Collected Works of Wu Te-kung]. Tainan: National Museum of Taiwan Literature. p. 20.
- ^ Tian, Qiwen (2020). 彰化宿儒吳德功古文研究 [A Study of Ancient Chinese Literature by Wu Te-kung, a Confucian Scholar in Zhanghua]. Taipei: Wan Juan Lou Books Company Limited. p. 88.