The Oral History of Alishan Forest Railway Staffs in Chiayi Jhuci

Alishan was built by Japanese colonial government during the Japanese colonial period. The purpose was for resources of the forest. It is indirectly caused cultural landscape and settlement scene along the forest railway. After National Government of the Republic of China take over this land for 70 years ago, Alishan Forest Railway is still an important symbol in the history of Taiwan. The time scope of this research is from 1946 (The 35th year of Republic Era). The main purpose is to study staffs of Alishan Forest Railway who live in Jhuci, Chiayi. The interview survey is used to know the operations, technique, and maintenance task of the railway. Also the census record (1906-1945) which established by Japanese with its “occupation” and “registration required” is discussed in this research. These related people who living with the railway is less mentioned in the history of conservation. This research attempts to construct the history of the forest railway from dictation of practitioners and census data. In other words, to fill the gap of history by these people. Fieldwork and interview survey is executed with the Jhuci Station as a center. Jhuci Station is the starting point of Alishan Forest Railway's mountain route. Residents in Jhuci and this railway are coexisting and survive together since hundred years ago. This makes much family join in this occupation with several generations. Due to this, the goal of this research is summarized as below: · To know the operation of railway and staff's life of Alishan Forest Railway though interview, · To analyze the context of occupational history, according to the census record in the Japanese colonial period. The expectation of this research is to record what these staffs paid for this precious heritage, and create memories for all citizens in Taiwan.