Century-Old Torii of Hualien's Fengtian Shrine Damaged by Vehicle Collision, Expert Restoration Completed

(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, 13th) The torii of the historic 'Fengtian Shrine Approach and Remains' in Hualien County was partially damaged and structurally displaced after a vehicle collision. The Hualien Cultural Bureau commissioned a professional restoration company to assess the damage, and skilled artisans completed the repairs using traditional techniques. The repair costs are being covered by the driver responsible for the accident.

The Hualien County Cultural Bureau stated that upon receiving the report, it immediately initiated emergency on-site inspections and required the driver at fault to ensure proper restoration. The restoration process followed procedures under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, with professional restoration units conducting surveys and evaluations before commencing work, to avoid diminishing the cultural asset's value.

The Cultural Bureau emphasized that special attention was paid to preserving the materials, construction methods, and structural forms during restoration. Damaged concrete sections of the torii were reinforced to closely match the original as much as possible, and the misaligned structure was strengthened and realigned. The restoration work, carried out over several months, was recently completed, ensuring safety while preserving historical traces and the authenticity of the cultural heritage.

Fengtian Shrine was established in 1915 as a symbol of the Japanese-era Fengtian immigrant village. After the war, local residents converted the shrine into 'Bilian Temple,' enshrining Buddha Shakyamuni, which became the spiritual center for the three Fengtian villages.

Bilian Temple originally reused the Japanese-era Fengtian Shrine buildings, but these were destroyed by a typhoon in 1985. Today, one torii, several stone lanterns, a pair of komainu (guardian dogs), and the approach path remain. Additionally, the '30th Anniversary of Village Establishment Monument' dedicated to the 18th Governor-General of Taiwan, Hasegawa Sei, as well as a well and other Japanese-era relics are preserved. These structures were designated as Hualien County's historic buildings in 2009. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150613