臺灣文學虛擬博物館

Concerning fantasy-adventure stories in the mythological setting, the celebrated Japanese anime Spirited Away tends to be the first one that comes to many people's minds. However, stories as such can also be found in Taiwanese literature as early as in the Japanese Colonial Period.

Hsiao Fêng Shên (小封神), a novel, featuring folk religions and religious events around temples in Tainan, is considered Taiwan's first fantasy fiction written in Taiwanese.
 

Hsiao Fêng Shên (小封神) (Yongming Press).
By Xu Bingding, issued by Xu Shengfu, published by Yongming Press. (Provided by Xu Bingding / From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection).

Inspired by the Investiture of the Gods, Xu Bingding's Hsiao Fêng Shên (小封神) was published in installments in the 369 Tabloid from February 26, 1931 to July 26, 1932. The serial novel, combining local tales with the deities and Buddhas in temples, tells a fascinating legend set in the winding streets and alleys of Tainan.
 

369 Tabloid.
“Hsiao Fêng Shên” (小封神) was published in installments from February 26, 1931 to July 26, 1932 in the 369 Tabloid. (Provided by Wang Chunyueh / From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection).

In the story, the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heavens (Xuantian Shangdi, or “the Small Supreme Emperor”) is originally a butcher. Trapped by the guilt of killing numerous animals, he decides to end his own life. The Jade Emperor, moved by his determination to clear his sins, makes him an immortal with the title “Xuantian Shangdi” and sends generals Zhao and Kang to serve him. The deity is then assigned to Tainan to keep an eye on the mortal. The city, however, already has another supreme emperor, so he has to transfer himself to a remote temple.

Since the offerings and joss sticks lit by believers there are far from enough to cover daily expenses, the deity asks the two generals to pawn his heavenly crown for cash and rice. The two generals end up losing all the money by gambling near the Matsu temple, and falsely accuse Matsu's servant Thousand-Mile Eyes of robbery. Kui Xing is wrongly arrested amid the chaos, which causes a great war involving Lord Guan (The Saint of War), Confucius, and the Mother Goddess of Turtle.
 

Comparison picture of Lord Kui Xing and Thousand-Mile Eyes.
The outlooks of Lord Kui Xing and Thousand-Mile Eyes are extremely alike. Small Supreme Emperor misrecognized Lord Kui Xing as Thousand-Mile Eyes and tied him in front of the Small Supreme Emperor Temple in public. Kui Xing is on the left and Thousand-Mile Eyes is on the right. (Source: Internet).

Hsiao Fêng Shên (小封神) (Camphor Tree Press).
By Xu Bingding. Translated by Chen Xianguo and Qiu Wenxi. Published by the Camphor Tree Press. (Provided by Xu Bingding / From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection).

Hsiao Fêng Shên (小封神) (manuscript remnant) / (script).
The manuscript of Xu Bingding's novel. The time period is unknown. (Provided by Xu Bingding / From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection).