Page 71 - An Overview of Penghu

XIV History of Penghu

Penghu's namesake

The Penghu Archipelago (or Pong-Islands) is known to Europeans as the Piscadore Archipelago,
which came from Dutch and means “the island of fishermen (Eyland piscadore).”

In 1726, dozens of islands were shown on the map made by Vohlen Staln, a Dutchman, with their
Dutch names, such as Phehuo (the Penghu Main Island), Groote Taa-ffel (Hujing Island), Vessers Eyl
(Fisherman Island), Kolyne Taa-ffe (Tongpan Isle), Rovers Eyl (Bazhao Island), Fangl Eyl (Jibei Isle),
Stikgoondt (Mudou Isle), and Ooster Eyl (Dongji Island). Although theories of how Penghu got its
name slightly differ from book to book, the consensus is that the Island obtained its name from the
calm water inside its port, in contrast to the violent waves outside the harbor. Alternative titles, such
as Pengying or Penglihu, were derived from songs and poems.

Penghu and stories about the undersea palace of the dragon king
An old household tale has it that Urashima Tarō rode on a turtle's back to the undersea palace of
the dragon king, where he was hosted warmly by Princess Otohime. After three years, he decided to
return home out of nostalgia, but he later realized that seven thousand years had already passed. When
he opened the jewelry box that Otohime gave him, he saw himself as an old man in a mirror in the box.

The story might sound preposterous, but if you look at it in the perspective below, everything
makes sense. Imagine the turtle as a small boat sailing to the remote undersea palace of the dragon
king, a paradise in the ocean. Otohime is a deity symbolizing happiness; her hospitality represents
abundant harvests. Seven-thousand years implies longevity, while the jewelry box serves as a
reminder for people to rethink vanity, and that Urashima's attempt to return was pointless.

The lore lost its historical value when it got dramatized. In fact, The Chronicle of Japan written
by Prince Toneri 1,200 years ago had a similar record under the section of the 22nd-Year of Emperor
Yūryaku, which is presented as follows: “Mizunoe Urashimanoko was a fisherman from Sugawa in
Yushe County of Danhe Province. One day, he went fishing on a boat and caught a gigantic turtle. The
turtle turned into a woman, whom Urashima married. They enter the sea together and arrived at Hōrai
Mountain, where Urashima saw gods.” Although there are always touches of secrecy in tales of
ancient times, it seems to be acceptable to assume that the Hōrai Mountain, also called “the Nation of
Immortals”, was the undersea dragon palace. Whether it's the Nation of Immortals, the Hōrai
Mountain, or the Dragon Palace, they all refer to a hidden paradise, albeit with slightly different
meanings. Hence, it is probably tolerable to mistake the Hōrai Mountain or the Nation of Immortals, to
which Urashima had traveled, for the Dragon Palace.

According to The Chronicle of Japanese Gods of Lands (Volume 4 of Kujiki), Kojiki, and The
Chronicles of Japan (Nihongi), before Urashima, Sukunabikona in Japanese mythology,
Kamikenunomikoto in the reign of Emperor Jimmu, and Tajimamori in the 90th year of Emperor
Suinin had already been to the Nation of Immortals, although its location is still debatable. In contrast,
with its 64 islands scattered on the sea, Penghu is enough to recreate that mirage-like scenery. Around
its isles live more than three hundred kinds of fish, including red sea breams and tunas that are
described in the folklore as the servants of Princess Otohime. Although Penghu does not have any
immortals, it is a place known for health and long-living elders. People might think of the Dragon
Palace when they look at Magong Town and Magong City from the long and curvy Magong Port.

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