王威棋（路頭工作坊成員）Wang Wei-chi

藝術家簡介Artist Profile




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鴉片戰爭爆發後，巡道姚瑩，有感於防務單薄，遂將城內各街分72境，責成紳士舖民各募壯勇2、3、4十名等，授以器械，分段協守。道光22年（1842年） 姚瑩奏已有82境。  

這些境很自然地各以寺廟為單位。咸豐3年（1853年）府城成立團練總局，惟無事則仍由廟境壯丁負責巡查。同治元年（1862年）戴潮春之役起，營兵義勇盡出，署巡道洪毓琛乃更進一步策聯境加強地方治安。  所成立的10個聯境（括弧內指境主廟）：有二十一境（大上帝廟），十八境（縣城隍廟）、八協境（大人廟）、六合境（開山王廟）、八吉境（總趕宮）、六興境（開山宮）、六和境（祀典武廟）、四安境（良皇宮）、三協境（風神廟）及七合境（集福宮）。各聯境有成員，並定防守城門及境域  






Territorial leading temple》


Territory refers to the boundary of land and United Territories is an organization for several relevant territories. Originally, it was formed to unite civilian force to maintain local security. This is a unique system that only be found in Tainan. 


This security system was initiated due to the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion in 1786 and became stabilized in Jiaquing Emperor’s rule. Dauguang Emperor started the Qingzhuang Lianjia system which was taken as the beginning of United Territories system.


During the Opium War, the removal of Tainan’s soldiers and civilians led to the security problem. So different territories based on their geographical characteristics, emotional attachment and individual interest divided five united territories within the city and many other territories in different sizes. They had become the major defense for Tainan’s security.       

After the Opium War, officer Yao Ying worried for the security problem then divided the city into 72 territories and recruit 20 to 40 brave adults and provided them with weapons to protect the city in separate regions. By Daoguang 22 years (1842), there were 82 territories as reported by Yao Ying.  


These territories are naturally based on a local temple. On Xianfang third years (1853), Tainan established the Defense Bureau but security was still guarded by local temple’s able-bodies men during peaceful time. On the first year of Tongzhi Emperor, Tai Chao-chuen rebellion started and used up all the soldiers and volunteers, Inspector Hong Yu-sheng decided to strengthen the organization of united territories to protect local security. Many major and minor territories were formed with its regular members to protect and secure its responsible gates and regions.


This united territories system ceased to exist when Taiwan was ceded to Japan after the War of Jiawu on the 20th year of Emperor Guangxu (1894). During Japanese occupation, the united territories system had lost its function, although historical names like Sixth United Territory or Eighth United Territory are still active in Tainan people’s daily life.  


As the city becomes more developed and prosperous, the temples of the united territories have been covered by high-rising buildings and folk houses, but they still remain to be the religious center of most civilians. The fusion of new and old, modern and historical has brought more depth to Tainan, though gradually being devoured by modern development. This intense sentiment can be highlighted by capturing the old temples in the united territories.