臺灣文學虛擬博物館

Reverberation・Symbiosis

Haruo Sato's works became a role model for recording and providing imagination about Taiwan, stimulating writers of later generations to emulate Sato and express their criticism, and this created abundant energy for Taiwanese literature and discourses on culture. Sato constructed an indigenous world formed by Jew's harps, lights, and young girls. He also used the formula of detective stories with elements including sad love story, waves, and haunted house to create a realm outside the flourishing Chinese culture.

Consequently, his works attracted people to follow in his footsteps and triggered their desire to represent Taiwan's scenery.

On the other hand, some writers regarded Taiwan as being more than just ghosts and savageness, and therefore began to dig into the historical and living aspects of Taiwan. These intellectuals that focused on investigative reports and critical writing included Shinji Maejima, Naoichi Kokubu, Yang-sui Shi, and Feng Zhu, who were even nicknamed "The Tainan School".

The "Taiwanese Girl", Hong-Chu Ng, who gained attention in Japan with her works on Taiwan, and Eikan Kyu, "God of the Stock Market", were all once guided by Haruo Sato. Up until the present 21st century, Haruo Sato's logical and imaginative works are still inspiring people's imagination.

Chu Chu Princess (Mazu, Volume 7), Mitsuru Nishikawa, November 1935, Mazu Publishing House. Mitsuru Nishikawa describes the beautiful young girl waiting in the house for her foreign father along the Tamshui Harbor. The combination of ruins and crazy woman was apparently influenced by "Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan." (From the collection of Tatsuya Kono)

First Issue of Beautiful Island,December 1939. This poetry collection includes two poems both titled "Abandoned Harbor" written by Kōichi Niigaki and Eikan Kyū. Clearly influenced by Haruo Sato, the poems describe Anping by depicting "an old city and abandoned harbor" and "a crazy woman waiting for the return of the boat." (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

"Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan" and Tainan, Kōichi Niigaki, Taiwan Daily, May 2nd, 1940. Kōichi Niigaki was born and brought up in Kaohsiung. His home was close to Kiichi Azuma's dental clinic. The proximity to Azuma and his admiration for Sato's works drove Niigaki to carry out a detailed investigation into the story of "Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan" during his teaching career in Tainan. He then became a member of the "Tainan School." (From the collection of Tainan Municipal Library)

Story of Chihkan, Limited Edition, Mitsuru Nishikawa, December 1940, Rixiao Shangfang. The 17th of the 75 limited edition books made by Mitsuru Nishikawa. The protagonist meets a mysterious young man at Chihkan Tower, who triggers the protagonist’s interest in the history of Kingdom of Tungning. It is also a story about exploring the history of Taiwan in Tainan. (From the collection of Tatsuya Kono)

A Collection of Taiwanese Novels (September 1941, Bokusui Publishing House), Jihei Nakamura, September 2000, Yumani Publishing House, Reprint. Jihei Nakamura was from Miyazaki, Japan. He came to study at Taipei Senior School because of Haruo Sato's works. In Story of Southern Sea, Nakamura mentioned "Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan" and the abandoned Anping Harbor. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

Taiwanese Girl, Hong-Chu Ng, March 1944, Taipei Branch of Touto Books Corporation. Hong-Chu Ng, who was still an elementary school student at the time, gained much attention with her articles on Taiwan’s customs. Haruo Sato complimented her on her pure style and innovative motifs. He and his nine-year-old son both became faithful fans of hers. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature) 

Anecdotes on Beautiful Island: Key, Ching-Yao Ho et al.October 2017, Chiuko Publishing House.A historical fantasy novel co-written by contemporary Taiwanese novelists. In this novel, the streets in Tainan and Mitsuru Nishikawa play an important role. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

Symposium on Tainan Local Literature, Literary Taiwan No. 5 Volume 5, March 1943. A symposium on local literature in Tainan was held at Sichuan Yuan in Tainan City. At the time, Kōichi Niigaki mentioned that "Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan" was what triggered Japanese people's interest in Taiwan, and now their task was to explore the charm of the real Tainan. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

The Years on Beautiful Island, Written by Kōichi Niigaki, Translated and Compiled by Liang-Ze Zhang, August 2002, Avant Guard Publishing House.A memoir by Wansei (Taiwan-born Japanese between 1895 and 1945) Kōichi Niigaki. In this book, he wrote about being born in Kaohsiung, going to Taipei for studying, and working in Tainan and Taipei, as well as his dedication to investigating local customs throughout his career. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

"Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan" and Tutou Gang, Chichang Yang, Tainan Culture, Volume 19, June 1985. Yang was known for Le Moulin Poetry Society. Since his father, Yilu Yang, worked for Tainan New Post, he had met the slender and bespectacled Haruo Sato. In the 1980s, Chichang Yang reminisced and exalted Haruo Sato's works on Taiwan. (From the collection of Tainan Municipal Library)

Zhuoshui River, Eikan Kyū, November 1955, Gendaisha.After writing Zhuoshui River, Eikan Kyū, who went to Japan after the war, gained praise from Haruo Sato: "You are now qualified to be a writer." Sato also contributed his handwriting for the book title of the Tankobon edition. Later on, Kyū withdrew from the literary scene and opened a restaurant. Haruo Sato and his wife, who both loved Chinese cuisines, went to the restaurant on the first day of its opening. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

Anecdotes on Beautiful Island: Key, Ching-Yao Ho et al.October 2017, Chiuko Publishing House.A historical fantasy novel co-written by contemporary Taiwanese novelists. In this novel, the streets in Tainan and Mitsuru Nishikawa play an important role. (From the collection of National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

"Strange Tale of the Precepts for Women's Fan", Chen Fei-hao, 2019.