臺灣文學虛擬博物館

๑ Ke Bo Rong ๑ Shih Chiung-fang ๑ Lin Tsung-yuan ๑ Lu Cheng-ta ๑ Chen Yi-fen ๑ Sen Kim Soon ๑

You were my guardian, back in the day;
a warrior with rifle and cannon at his command.
Standing tall and proud on the sandbars of the outer Taijiang,
keeping me safe, and free to dream sweet dreams.
 

Excerpted from "A Love Letter to Provintia Fort" Tshiah-Kham-Lau E Tsing-Phue
Author: Ke Bo Rong
Publisher: Tainan Municipal Library (2009)
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| About the Author |

Ke Bo Rong's creative genre is poetry. He focuses on realistic Taiwanese poetry, covering themes like personal experiences, daily philosophies, and Tainan local scenery. His works also express his thoughts about historical events and the underprivileged, with language that is simple and close to daily life. His poems about personal experiences are sincere and heartfelt, while those about local memories are insightful and full of vitality.

What at first glance seemed no less than fallen stars strewn across these coastal waters, upon closer examination turned out to be the lights of fishing scows clustered about the barrier islands.
Before Great Fish Kunshen transforms into the soaring roc, these boats will continue lighting the way in to Lu'ermen Channel.
The sandy shore stretches all the way to Hōng-soaⁿ-koān, and salt making and fishing are its main occupations.
The night market bustles with basket-wielding townsfolk scrambling to buy up the day's fresh catch, which tomorrow will surely be served in kitchens across the district.

Excerpted from "Map of the Eight Scenic Spots of Taiwan-fu (Fishing Boat Torches of Kun-Shen)" Classical Poetry of Taiwan, Vol. 5
Author: Shih Chiung-fang
Publisher: National Museum of Taiwan Literature (2004)
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| Appreciation |

This is one of a number of descriptions included on the 19th-century Map of the Eight Scenic Spots of Taiwan-fu (Tainan). The text describes the carpet of flickering lights seen at night emanating from the torches aboard boats fishing off coastal sandbars. Kunshen transforming into a roc is a literary nod to Zhuangzi's classic work "Untroubled Wanderings" that helps set this piece in the Taijiang / Lu'ermen region near Tainan. Shih then focuses in on a shoreline fish market where basket-wielding salt field and fishing families are depicted busily trying to buy the day's catch.

| About the Author |

Shih Chiung-fang, originally named Long Wen, changed his name to Chiung-fang after passing the imperial examination in 1845. A native of Tainan City. After becoming a Jinshi, he did not take up the post of a county magistrate in Jiangsu but returned to Taiwan to serve as the head of Haidong Academy. His second son, Shi Jie (1856-1922), also passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty, making the Shih father and son the only Jinshi duo in Taiwan. Shih Chiung-fang wrote extensively throughout his life; his works revealing his character of "modesty and humility". His poetry and writings are collected in the "Posthumous Manuscripts of Shilanshanguan." His poems are included in the fifth volume of "The Complete Collation of Taiwanese Poetry."

Vessels bolt from Anping Harbor, eager to chase a dream;
navigating in search of dull red waters.
Where are the "black pillars"?
Those pillars are my fortune.

The take from this once-a-year season
will cover the rest of the year's broken nets and dreams.

Excerpted from "Mullet Season" Poems of Tainan
Author: Lin Tsung-yuan
Publisher: Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government (2011)

Note: The area where schools of mullet gather are referred to by fishermen as "black pillars" because the surface of the sea above these schools takes on a dull-red cast.
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| About the Author |

Lin Tsung-yuan, one of the pioneers of Taiwanese poetry, mainly wrote poetry. He believed that Taiwanese language was lively, interesting, and elegant. To him, Taiwanese was like his own cells, naturally breathing out during creative moments. Lin Tsung-yuan used his mother tongue to fully express his intense feelings for his nation.

Milkfish belly soup with pickled young watermelon was a dish served at both banquets. Served in a clear-glass bowl, this dish seemed like something to be found only in authentic fishing hamlets like this. Oddly enough, despite the savory-sour flavor imparted by the watermelon pickle, the taste of the soup reminded him of the salty winds experienced at Qigu's Salt Mountain and along the coastal salt district.

Excerpted from "Watermelon Pickle and Uncle" Taking a Stroll to Eat Sago Pudding: The Favorite Flavors of Childhood
Author: Lu Cheng-ta
Publisher: Chiu Ko Publishing Co., Ltd.
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| About the Author |

Lu Cheng-ta's creative works primarily include prose, along with essays, biographies, and children's literature. His prose writing is concise, fluent, and filled with poetic quality and tension. Combining psychology and film studies, his prose writing present the joys and sorrows of life. Writing about things tangible and intangible, he drew readers into his narratives and touching their hearts, allowing them to figure out their own life analogies. His recent writings focus on family and psycho-physical interactions, exploring topics like physiological psychology, gender, and parent-child relationships, and thus encourages readers to ponder the meaning of life and attitudes towards living.

I love rouyan crisps (fried wontons)… love the meaty flavor they release when added to soup. The combination of fish paste and pork in these delicacies make me feel like someone sailing across the open ocean who suddenly looks up and sees land. It is enough to bring a wanderer to happy tears. Passing through the shoals that separate the open ocean from the shore, every step takes you that much closer to land.

Excerpted from "The Magic inside a Rouyan Crisp" Cresting Literary Ridge: Award-winning Entries from the 9th Tainan Literature Awards 
Author: Chen Yi-fen
Publisher: Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government (2019)
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| About the Author |

Chen Yi-fen, pen name Wei Yu Heng, is from Yanshui, Tainan. She has authored the novel "Her Body's Garden" and the short story collection "The House of Phantom Beast Syndrome." She is the winner of the ninth Tainan Literature Awards.

A sip of congee rewards with a flavor that is exceptionally satisfying and salted just right, while the Spanish mackerel fillet, deep fried and added to the congee, imbues the experience with a distinctively new texture and flavor. The accompanying fried dough stick may be enjoyed either added to the congee or on its own as a side. The umami of the oyster soup base introduces yet another layer of flavor. The texture and tastes of the stewed rice, fish, and oysters over the palate are the stuff of perfectly seasoned seafood perfection, and a worthy reflection of the flavor and character of Tainan cuisine.

Excerpted from "Savory Congee" Hanging out in Tainan
Author: Sen Kim Soon
Publisher: Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government (2021)
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| About the Author |

Sen Kim Soon primarily creates poetry and prose. The author uses rich and mellow text in an attempt to deconstruct the vicissitudes and melancholy of life through poetry, and to depict the passage of time in prose. Thus, in his literary works, there often emerges a sense of longing, contradiction, and confusion towards life and time, reflecting the author's expectations and affection for them.