National Taiwan Ocean University Center of Media, Public Relations and Publishing

Tsai An-Jie, a student from the Department of Marine Engineering at National Taiwan Ocean University(NTOU), has had a passion for Taiwan's traditional temple festival culture since childhood. Through a high school classmate's father, he became acquainted with the "Ba Jia Jiang" (Eight Generals, Chinese: 八家將) troupe at the Zhenyan Temple in Keelung. Tsai was deeply fascinated by the cultural elements of the Eight Generals, such as the intricate facial makeup, embroidered costumes, helmets, ceremonial weapons, and ever-changing footwork. He assisted in documenting and promoting the troupe, hoping to make more people aware of this folk art form and ensure its continuity. Recently, with the support of Professor Lin Cherng-Yuan from the Department of Marine Engineering at NATOU, Tsai edited a 3-minute micro-film that captured the complete ritual of the Generals' temple visit. Together with his teammate Chen Hung-Hsiang, they won first place in the Year 2023 National Micro-Film Marketing Competition. Film link: https://youtu.be/am0blM11_WU

In Taiwan, it is customary to hold processions and patrol ceremonies before the birthday of deities during temple festivals. Among the various troupes in these festivals, the Eight Generals serve as the protectors and attendants of the main deity, always captivating the audience's attention. However, they are also the troupe that is most easily stigmatized. Tsai An-Jie, now a junior in university, expressed that many people believe that children who perform as the Eight Generals are delinquents or pranksters. However, in their eyes, the Eight Generals showcase the beauty of art and represent Taiwan's unique traditional culture. Through the documentation and promotion of their film, Tsai hopes to make more people understand the culture of the Generals and encourage more young people to learn and participate in these troupes. They aim to not only allow foreign tourists to experience Taiwan's traditional culture beyond its delicious food but also appreciate the uniqueness of this culture. By doing so, they hope to ensure the continuity of this folk art form, the Eight Generals.

Image from left to right:
Left: Currently studying at NTOU, Tsai An-Jie has had a love for Taiwan's traditional temple festival culture since childhood.
Mid: Tsai An-Jie and Chen Hung-Hsiang won first place in National Micro-Film Marketing Competition, 2023.
Right: Tsai An-Jie (left) and Chen Hung-Hsiang (right) are not only passionate about attending temple festivals but also enjoy outdoor activities in their free time.

The Generals are a part of Taiwan's folk religious beliefs, and the "eight" in Eight Generals is just a conventional term. The number of members in a troupe can vary. During the Japanese colonial period, Generals' troupes were active in various parts of Taiwan, each forming different factions and characteristics. Due to the differences in roles, facial makeup, postures, and formations among these factions, many Generals' troupes seek to trace their origins. The temple visit ceremony for the Generals is like going back to the ancestral temple for a master's examination, ensuring the quality of these young performers. Precise and solid footwork, eye movements, and timing are essential. After passing the examination, they proceed with the worship of the ancestors and the most important ceremony of receiving the plaque. This plaque serves as a certificate for the Generals' troupe, indicating recognition from the ancestral temple.

The Zhenyan Temple's Eight Generals in Keelung originated from a group of young people in Keelung who love Taiwan's folk traditional culture. They practiced the troupes' footsteps in their spare time. However, they realized that mere imitation and learning were not enough to grasp the authentic temple festival culture. Consequently, they visited the century-old Ru Yi Zhen Yu Hall at the Chiayi Tzu Chi Temple, where they formally sought apprenticeship and learned the craft. After three years of planning, the Zhenyan Temple's Eight Generals embarked on a temple visit to pay respects to their ancestors in November of the year 2022. The older teachers in Chiayi said it had been over a decade since they last witnessed a Generals' temple visit, making this event truly rare.