The Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall in Fenghua

The Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall in Fenghua

The Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall in Fenghua is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall is a family shrine building originally constructed in the mid-Qing Dynasty. It serves as a site where the Jiang family worships their ancestors and eminent figures. Located in the central urban area of Xikou, Zhejiang Province, it is a place where members of the Jiang clan on Xikou Street gather to honor their ancestors, stage performances, hold gatherings, and conduct various traditional ceremonies during festivals such as Chinese New Year and Qingming.

Sites in the Xikou Scenic Area related to the ancestral shrines and activity venues of the Jiang family include “Wushan Temple,” “Maha Hall,” and “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall.” However, the one genuinely used by the Jiang family is the “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall.” Originally small in scale, it was later renovated and expanded by Chiang Kai-shek on the foundation of the old hall, who also personally inscribed the plaque “Loyalty and Filial Piety Pass Down the Family.” To learn about the history of the Jiang family in Xikou—its origins, evolution, and rise to prominence—a visit to the “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall” is essential.

The “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall” has a long history. In the 55th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty, it underwent a major renovation. Neither the architectural style nor the floor area was altered. In 1930, Chiang Kai-shek expanded his ancestral home, Fenghao House, and purchased the front halls of the three Jiang family branches. The property expanded considerably. At the time, someone asked Chiang Kai-shek, “Where will the ancestors of the three branches be enshrined?” In response, Chiang allocated substantial funds to construct a new ancestral hall. Its area exceeded that of his own Fenghao House, and it was grand and majestic, truly imposing. The space was convenient for clan members to worship ancestors and watch performances, and it also included side rooms that could house over ten clan families.

Chiang Kai-shek’s Inscription

After the new ancestral hall was completed, the clan leader invited Chiang Kai-shek to inscribe the plaque for the entrance gate. At the time, Chiang was reading and had just reached the part where Guan Yu “passed through five passes and slew six generals.” He was so impressed that he slapped the table in admiration. Suddenly, the clan leader entered and, stroking his beard, said: “Everyone in the clan knows you’re well-versed in literature. We’ve specially come to ask you to inscribe the plaque for the ancestral hall’s entrance. Please forgive us for the interruption!” Chiang quickly stood up, helped him sit down, ordered ink to be ground and paper to be spread out, and then asked, “What should I write?” The clan leader smiled and said, “You’re full of literary talent—write whatever you like.”

Chiang Kai-shek put down his brush, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced around the room. Walking to the desk and seeing the copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was reminded of the virtues attributed to Guan Yu in the book: loyalty, courage, courtesy, righteousness, wisdom, and trust. Suddenly, an idea struck him—weren’t these the very virtues the Jiang descendants ought to uphold? After a moment of reflection, he decided that loyalty should be the foundation for the clan. Only with loyalty can one be worthy of the nation and the ancestors, and only then can one be deserving of the people and future generations. As for filial piety, it is indispensable; those who understand it can honor their forebears, care for the young, and respect their siblings. With his decision made, he confidently wrote the four large characters “Loyalty and Filial Piety Pass Down the Family” and handed them to the clan leader. The clan leader, upon seeing them, repeatedly praised them, promptly had the inscription made into a plaque, and hung it above the entrance gate of the Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall, constantly reminding clan members to act with loyalty and filial piety.

Soon after, Chiang Kai-shek personally organized a ceremony to honor the ancestors, hosted a grand banquet to entertain the clan, and funded the revision of the clan genealogy. He also invited a theater troupe to perform for several evenings at the “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall.” He attended the performances in person, bringing considerable festivity to the Jiang clan in Xikou. In April 1937, Chiang Kai-shek’s elder brother, Chiang Chieh, fell ill and passed away. His coffin was laid in state at the “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall,” where the funeral was held. On April 14, during the funeral procession, members of the Jiang clan in Xikou gathered at the ancestral hall to attend the burial ceremony. Two years later, in 1939, Chiang Kai-shek’s first wife, Mao Fumei, was killed in a Japanese air raid, and her funeral was also held at the “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall.”

Today, in addition to displaying historical relics of the Jiang family, the “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall” also exhibits photos and explanatory texts produced jointly by the Taiwan Affairs Office and the State Council Information Office on the Taiwan issue (Taiwan’s history, the Taiwan Strait, etc.). These vividly present the Taiwan issue along with its history, current status, and development trends, making it a significant attraction for understanding the history of the Jiang family.