Item number: M252

Year: AD 1902-1914

Size: 24.4 x 21.6 x 1.6 mm

Weight: 5.3 g

Provenance: Quan Jian Zhai 2024

This is a Regular Member Badge issued by the Changhua Farmers’ Association in Changhua Chō, Taiwan under Japanese rule from Meiji 35 to Taisho 3 (AD 1902-AD 1914). The badge is circular with a loop at the top. The obverse of the badge features the artistic Chinese character “農” (agriculture), flanked by a pair of knotted rice stalks as decoration. The reverse of the badge displays two lines of Chinese characters in regular script, “Changhua Farmers’ Association Regular Member.”

In the 1870s, following the reforms of the Meiji Restoration, Japan emulated the British model by organising “Farmers’ Associations” centred around landowners to promote agricultural production and development. On September AD 1900, Japan established the “Sankyō Farmers’ Association” around present-day Sanxia, Taipei, marking the beginning of farmers’ associations that continue to significantly influence Taiwan’s economy and politics. On June 3, AD 1902, the “Changhua Farmers’ Association” was also established in Changhua Chō, located along the Zhuoshui River.

The Changhua Farmers’ Association was established with the assistance of local gentry Wu Dae-gong, under the direction of the governor of Changhua Chō. The association was founded by convening 37 street and village leaders from the jurisdiction, with an initial membership totalling 600 members. Notably, Wu Dae-gong was the founder of the Changhua Bank, which is still in operation today. He also authored the work “The Cession of Taiwan,” which narrates the transformation of Taiwanese identity in the face of the Japanese invasion of Taiwan.

The primary objectives of the Changhua Farmers’ Association were to promote agricultural improvements, provide education, and distribute seeds, fertilisers, and farming tools. Members were required to pay an annual fee of one yen, and the association president was elected annually. The association was further divided into four departments: agriculture, livestock, citrus, and sugarcane.

As Japanese corporations invested in the sugar industry, Changhua became a significant sugarcane production area in Taiwan. This development led to the “Erlin Incident” in AD 1924, which marked the beginning of modern Taiwanese peasant movements. The peasant movement, starting in Changhua, inspired Lai He, known as the father of modern Taiwanese literature. His works, such as “The Steelyard,” drew inspiration from these movements and highlighted social injustices.

In AD 1914, the Changhua Farmers’ Association was incorporated into the Taichung Chō Farmers’ Association following the administrative adjustments made by the Governor-General’s Office. It wasn’t until AD 1951, after the relocation of the Republic of China government to Taiwan, that the “Changhua County Farmers’ Association” regained its independent status, which it maintains to this day.

物件編號: M252

年代: 公元 1902-1914 年

尺寸: 24.4 x 21.6 x 1.6 mm

重量: 5.3 g

來源: 泉鑒齋 2024

這是一枚明治35年至大正3年 (公元1902至1914年)，在日本統治下的台灣彰化廳之「彰化農會」發行的通常會員章。獎章外觀為圓形，頂部還有一個環扣。獎章正面有一個藝術字體的漢字「農」，兩側以一對打結的稻穗作為裝飾。獎章背面則是楷書字體「彰化農會通常會員」兩行漢字。

公元1870年代，日本國內在明治維新的變革下，效仿英國組織以地主為核心的「農會」以促進農業生產和發展。公元1900年9月，日本在今日台北三峽一帶成立「三角湧農會」，成為至今仍深切影響台灣經濟和政治的農會濫觴。公元1902年6月3日，位於濁水溪畔的彰化廳也相繼成立「彰化農會」。

彰化農會為彰化廳長在地方仕紳吳德功協助下，召集轄下各街庄長37名共同成立，初始會員總計有600名。值得一提的是，吳德功是現今仍在營運的彰化銀行創始人，並且以自身經歷寫下《讓台記》講述台灣人面對乙未戰爭的身分轉變。

農會的主旨為促進農業改良、教育和發放種子、肥料和農具。農會成員每年要繳交一圓的會費，會長則是每年改選一次。農會進一步細分為「農產、畜產、柑橘和甘蔗」四個部門。隨著日本大企業投入製糖業，後續彰化成為臺灣重要的甘蔗產地之一，並在公元1924年爆發台灣近代農民運動的濫觴「二林事件」。以彰化為開端的農民運動，成為出身於彰化的台灣現代文學之父賴和筆下，諸如《一桿稱仔》等揭露不公的作品靈感來源。

公元1914年，彰化農會搭配總督府的地方行政區域調整，歸併於台中廳農會管轄。直到公元1951年，播遷來台的中華民國政府才再度恢復獨立編制的「彰化縣農會」迄今。