About the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Museum

The Zheng Chenggong Memorial Museum consists of a section on his birthplace and a rest area. Both sections have items exhibited. Relative information can be found below.

Zheng Chenggong Birthplace Exhibition Section

The birthplace exhibition section has several rooms each with special exhibits that exemplify the personality of Zheng Chenggong and recreates the living space of the time when he was alive.

Zheng Chenggong and the God of the Sea

Maso Statue Room

This part exhibits the statue of Maso goddess, an intangible cultural property of Hirado City, and some other religious statues presented to the museum by shrines in Taiwan. At the back of the museum is a replica of a calligraphy piece by Zheng Chenggong which was presented by the affiliate facility in Taiwan, and a statue of Zheng Chenggong.

Zheng Chenggong – His House and the Living Environment of the Time

Japanese Room

The happy and intimate life of the Zheng Family is recreated here.

The achievements of Zheng Zhilong, the father of Zheng Chenggong

Irori Fireplace Room

Zhilong, Zheng Chenggong’s father, was a trading merchant. This room exhibits some materials which exemplify his achievements as a merchant.

Historical Background of the Battles of Koxinga

Servants’ Room

One of the many facets of Zheng Chenggong was that of a soldier, who fought against Qing Dynasty for the restoration of Ming Dynasty and emancipated Taiwan which had been under the rule of the Dutch Empire. This area features the materials which exhibits the soldier related aspects of Zheng Chenggong.

Entrance

Mud Floor

This is the entrance to the exhibition corner. There is a model of a ship which is said to have been used by Zheng Zhilong for trading.

Rest Area

The Rest Area features the chronology of Zheng Chenggong’s life, information on the on-site facilities and events related to Zheng Chenggong.

Zheng Chenggong’s Birthplace	Structure: Wooden Bungalow with Tiled Roof Building Area: 73.31㎡/td>
Rest Station / Bathroom	Structure: Wooden Bungalow with Tiled Roof  Building Area: 74.22㎡
Opening Hours	8:30AM - 5:00PM
Admission Fee	Free * There is a donation box in the museum. We’d appreciate your donation. It will be used for maintenance and management purposes.
Closing Day	Wednesdays / Dec. 31 thru Jan. 1

Other Features Outside the Museum Building

Asian Bayberry Tree

Beside the museum, there is an Asian Bayberry tree, which is said to have been planted by a young Zheng Chenggong.
The Asian Bayberry is an evergreen tree of the Fagaceae family and known as a holy tree and therefore is planted at many shrines around Japan. It is considered a tree of navigation safety and charm against evil due to the meanings evoked by the sound of the tree’s name in Japanese. Also, as its leaves are hard to be torn, it is considered a tree of good fortune and believed to bring marriage ties and prosperity in business.

The Statue of Zheng Chenggong and His Mother

As there was nothing dedicated for the memory of Tagawa, the mother of Zheng Chenggong, who made a great contribution in the early education of Zheng Chenggong, a local volunteer group called for donations and constructed this statue on November 30th, 2008.
The statue was designed by Zheng Wan Jin, the 11th grandson of Zheng Chenggong.

History of Zheng Chenggong Memorial Museum

2010

The plan to reconstruct the birthplace of Zheng Chenggong was decided.

2011

The Design Competition
Determination of the Basic Concept
Site Acquisition

2012

The Association for Town Making of Nakano Founded
The Basic Plan Formed
Baseline and Executive Design Completed
Construction of the Museum Building and the Adjunct Facility
The Basic Exhibition Plan Commissioned to a Subcontractor
The Fund for Zheng Chenggong Memorial Museum Founded

2013

Preparation of the Exhibition Items
Construction of the Approach
Ceremony for the Celebration of Zheng Chenggong’s Birthday (July 14th)
Opening of the Museum

Main Exhibits

1. Statue of Maso (Tangible Cultural Property of Hirado City)

Maso is a Taoism goddess of navigation safety and prosperity of the fishing industry, which is worshipped mainly in the coastal area of China. From its shape, this statue is considered to have been originally enshrined in a ship and is part of a set of statues along with other two statues of the devil. Zheng Zhilong, the father of Chenggong, is said to have enshrined this statue in a shrine he made. As it had been severely damaged, it was repaired at a national treasure repair laboratory in Kyoto Art Institute in December of 1990.

The Statue of Maso

Carved Out from a Single Camphor Trunk: Size 28cm　

Guardian (Senrigan)

Senrigan is considered to be one of the subordinates of Soma and makes a pair with Junpuji. Senrigan is said to be the god who serves the supreme sky deity and sees everything from the sky to the ground. Carved Out from a Single Camphor Trunk: Size 19cm

Guardian (Junpuji)

Junpuji is considered to be one of the subordinates of Soma and makes a pair with Senrigan. Junpuji is said to be the god who hears everything from the sky to the ground.
Carved Out from a Single Camphor Trunk: Size 19cm

２．The Statue of Soma Presented by Luermen Matsu Temple of Tainan City and Lukang Matsu Temple of Changhua County

In April, 1997, when the 8th Taiwan Friendship Trip Group visited Luermen Matsu Temple in Tainan City and Soma Temple in Lukang, Changhua County, the local citizens of each place presented a statue of Soma to the group for further friendship.
* A statue of Soma, which was originally enshrined in the flagship captained by Zheng Chenggong, is today enshrined at Luermen Matsu Temple. Its soul was separated into the statue presented to the Friendship Trip Group in 1997.

The Statue of Soma Presented by Luermen Matsu Temple of Tainan City

Size: About 64cm　

The Statue of Soma Presented by Lukang Matsu Temple of Changhua County

Size: About 47cm

３．Calligraphy by Zheng Chenggong (Replica)

This was presented to Kaizan Shrine (Tainan City, Taiwan) by the Matsuura Family of Hirado. The original of this replica is now stored at Zheng Chenggong Archive Center in Tainan City. Year of Production: 1647 - 1662

４．Portrait of Zheng Chenggong (Replica)）

There are several stories regarding the appearance of Zheng Chenggong. According to a document preserved in the Netherlands, he was of medium height, had light complexion and a chiseled face with sharp eyes and unkempt hair.
Year of Production: 1647 - 1662