Centre of Asian Studies, HKU

The Politics of Identity Formation: the Case of Koo Chen-fu

  

 Clare Tsai-man HO

Centre of Asian Studies

The University of Hong Kong

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The structure of my The structure of my presentationpresentation

Introduction of the Koo familyResearch QuestionAnalytical FrameworkPutting the figures into historical settings:The eras in which Koo lived up

Taiwan under Japanese RuleTaiwan under the Nationalist Government

Koo’s episodeKoo’s exile in Hong KongKoo’s return to TaiwanConclusion

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Koo Hsien-jung

Koo Chen-fu

Koo Kwan-min

The Koo Family in Taiwan

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My Research Question:

“In his whole life, my father never speaks Japanese”.

“Koo Chen-fu grew up in a traditional Chinese family, accepting the Chinese Education, reading Chinese. “

“I am Chinese; I am Taiwanese”

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In what conditions do people have

to make statements like that?

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Networks, comprised of Significant Others

The dialectical relations of identity formation: a configuration of power

Significant Networks generate social

affiliation and help gaining social recognition

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Putting the figures into historical settings:

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Japan and China in Father’s eyes

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The eras in which Koo Chen-fu grew up

• Liberal Taishō and Militarism-driven Showa• 2 events in His Childhood

•Crown Prince Hirohito visited Taiwan•His transfer to Japanese elementary school

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Around 1940, a letter KCF wroteto his mother from Japan. It’s in Japanese.

Source: KCF’s Biography

Source: snapshot from Documentary of KCF on TV

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How much did Taiwanese know about the Republic of China?

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Time period Rice/ per 1 Tai Jin(0.67kg) index

1945.8 0.2 yen 1 time

1945.10 3.6 yen 18 times

1945.11 12.0 yen 60 times

1946.2 16.8 yen 84 times

1946.4 20.0 yen 100 times

1947.1 80 yen 400 times

SERIOUS INFLATION

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1. Taiwanese— “Incomplete” Chinese

2. After 228 Incidents, Anyone could be ‘Communist’ or ‘Traitor’( 漢奸 )

“I hope that every Taiwanese will fully recognize his duty to our fatherland and strictly observe discipline , so as not to be utilized by treacherous gangs and laughed at by the Japanese…. Thus only can Taiwanese be free from thedebt they owe to the entire nation which has undergone so

many sacrifices and bitter struggles for the last fifty years in order to recover Taiwan.“ -- Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, addressing the Weekly Memorial Services at Nanking, March 10, 1947

3. Uprooting Japan; Implanting China

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Koo’s exile in Hong Kong :re-adjustment, new social affiliationand social recognition

• He married to Yen Cho-yun (Cecilia Koo)

1. His motive to return to Taiwan2. The newly constructed network:

•Key person: Yeh Ming-shun, Cecilia’s brother in law

• To solve the political crisesYeh Ming-Shun Peng Meng-Chi( 彭孟緝 )

• To join the KMT-governed systemYeh Ming-Shun Huang Shao-gu (Executive Yuan)Yeh Ming-Shun Chang Zi-kai (the Minister of Economic Affair)

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Koo’s exile in Hong Kong : re-adjustment, new social affiliationand social recognition

The Chinese element: Peking Opera

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On the eve of Koo-Wang Talk

In DPP’s eyes,He was insufficiently Taiwanese

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Conclusion

1. Can we refuse a finalized and holistic affirmation of “Japaneseness”, “Chineseness”, or “Taiwaneseness”?

2. Contradiction between 內地人 / 本島人 ; 日本人 / 台灣人 all dissolved by identification as “komin”( 皇民 , imperial subject)

3. Contrast between ‘ 大陸’ and ‘ 台灣’ , ‘ 國民’ / colonial subjects, is suppressed in favor of “ 祖國” (father/motherland) and “ 中國人” (Chinese) respectively.

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The move and process to step on stage demands discipline. For the new performer’s debut, it is always his teacher who pushes him toward the stage. Once on stage, he can never turn back and has to keep going forward.

Palpitating and uneasy is unavoidable. Thus, he has to find his own position on the stage and stand firm as soon as possible. Yet, where to stand is also important. Only in a right position is he able to play the role well.

Speaking of Peking opera, Koo said: