Jiantan Temple

Date CapturedOctober 18th, 2018 at 08:22 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR IIApertureƒ / 7.1Shutter Speed1/200 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO100Exposure Value13.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

A Buddhist temple in Dazhi, originally founded in 1773 as a Guanyin temple beside Jiantan, the deep pool on the Keelung River from which it takes its name. It grew into one of northern Taiwan’s major temples, and in 1923 was expanded into a three-hall complex by the master craftsman Chen Yingbin (陳應彬), who also rebuilt the Chen Dexing Hall. In 1937 the colonial government forced its removal to make way for the expansion of the Taiwan Shrine (臺灣神社), and after two relocations only the rear hall survived, its Minnan-style eaves rebuilt with a mix of northern Chinese tiling and Japanese rooflines. Many of its treasures were lost or sold off along the way. The diminished temple declined at its new Dazhi site until repairs funded by Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫) and others in 1955. It was listed as a historic building in 2004 and restored the following year, with management later entrusted to Fo Guang Shan, whose decision to move Guanyin out of the main hall and bar incense has remained a source of friction with local devotees.

Date CapturedSeptember 13th, 2015 at 06:29 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 7.1Shutter Speed1/200 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO200Exposure Value13.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400