A Study on the Deeds of Japanese Immigrant in Taiwan through the Yamamoto’s Monument— Taking Yamamoto Yoshinobu for Example

[[abstract]]Yuanshan Clear Water Reservoir （currently called Chungho Juisui Distribution Reservoir） bore witness to the history of discovery of a local wellspring while the Yamamoto’s Monument represented country folk’s grateful remembrance of the outstanding contribution made by Mr. Yamamoto Yoshinobu—Panchiao Township Head(1924~1930). This historic site, assigned by contemporary Taipei County Governments contains precious history and culture as well as abundant teaching resources. This paper aims to explore the rags-to-riches story of a Japanese immigrant to Taiwan， based on humanistic concerns， which transcend nationalities, races/ and liberalism，a branch of educational philosophy. The major method adopted is to study the archives of the period of Japanese Rule in Taiwan， confirmed by studies on private documents produced by relevant people in private domains as well as by myself in field work. In this way， the life story of a Japanese immigrant to Taiwan is realistically narrated. The following five topics are discussed in this paper： Yamamoto’s Monument and Chungho Juisui Distribution Reservoir， Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s business in Taiwan， Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s participation in the local administration， local autonomy， and public affairs， Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s friendship with the Taiwanese， and restoration of historical facts and revival of cultural heritage. 1. Yamamoto’s Monument and Chungho Juisui Distribution Reservoir： This part of the paper reviews the hygiene of drinking water in the period of Japanese Rule in Taiwan， the engineering work of laying water pipes， the discovery and organization of the monument text. It attempts to remember Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s outstanding contribution to Panchiao Village/Township. 2. Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s Business in Taiwan： This part discusses how Yamamoto Yoshinobu settled down in Taiwan by relying on the assistance offered by some Taiwanese people after he first came to Taiwan， how he then established a coal mine and an alluvial gold business， and how he built a park （Hagoromo Park， meaning “Feather Mantle Park”） to express his gratitude to Taiwan as his second home， because he was very much concerned about the poor health of the Taiwanese people， whom he called his “fellow countrymen.” 3. Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s Participation in the Local Administration， Local Autonomy， and Public Affairs： This part elaborates on how he helped with the upgrading of Panchiao Village to Panchiao Township， promoted social education， character education and holistic development of children， and saved the life pulse of coal mines in Taiwan. Furthermore， he laid the foundation for the prosperity and development of Panchiao Township by devoting himself to local construction and making donations. 4. Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s Friendship with the Taiwanese： This section studies what role his bold and generous character and his great care about brotherhood played in building fine quality relationship / friendship with owners of small coalmines， former employees， millionaires， local gentry and the Lin Penyuan family， from which he drew the strength to run his businesses in Taiwan. 5. Restoration of Historical Facts and Revival of Cultural Heritage. This section discusses how Taiwanese Teenage Workers by Professor Ho， Yi-lin， The Hammer Looking Homewards by Mr. Hosaka， a principal of a Japanese school， and the Yamamoto’s Monument being studied herein express the same liberalism-oriented and humanistic philosophy and approaches but in different phraselogy， in the hope that by means of utilization of relevant teaching resources and humanitarian concerns， the heroes of these stories may be given back the dignity due to them. After following the trail of Yamamoto Yoshinobu’s footsteps， in addition to cherishing the memory of his dedication to Taiwan， the author desires to revive this historical site and restore the glorious deeds of Yamamoto Yoshinobu by utilizing accessible teaching resources.