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Taiwan Prefect Zhou Mao-qi Asks for the Prohibition of Selling Gold Foiled Paper That Has the Printing of “Long Life”

Tags: documents | Tan-Hsin Archive

 

Main title: Taiwan Prefect Zhou Mao-qi Asks for the Prohibition of Selling Gold Foiled Paper That Has the Printing of “Long Life”
Main Author: Zhou Mao-qi
Date: 1874
Subject Matter: Administration—civil administration
Description: Taiwan prefect, Zhou Mao-qi, asked the magistrate of Tamsui Subprefecture, Chen Xing-ju, to issue the notice saying that gold foiled paper that has the printing of “Long Life” are not to be sold.
Collection: Tan-Hsin Archive

 

Owing to the Legend of Cang Jie’s Chinese Character Creation as well as the fact that papers and characters are mediums sages use to educate following generations, ancient people showed particular respect for papers and characters. It was understood that they should not be burned at will but should be gathered to the Pavilion of Respecting Characters to be burned. The document was applied by gentries Wu Shang-zhen and Wu Jing-li of Tainan Kuilou Academy to the magistrate of Taiwan County , Bai Luan-qing, asking permission to give orders to prohibit the printing of “Long Life” on gold foiled paper and to prohibit the arbitrary burning of gold foil with letters because this behavior was considered irreverent to the gods. After the Taiwan intendant, Jia Xian-lun, gave his permission, Taiwan prefect, Zhou Mao-qi, asked the magistrate of Tamsui Subprefecture, Chen Xing-ju, to issue the notice saying that gold foiled paper that has the printing of “Long Life” are not to be sold, and that whoever sells it should be placed under arrest.

 

National Taiwan University Library, National Taiwan University