The Boy from Clearwater: Book 1

Culture Notes PDF

     Taiwan’s modern history is a complex narrative of colonization, resistance, economic transformation, and eventual democratization. From the establishment of Japanese colonial rule in 1895 to the authoritarian grip of the Kuomintang (KMT) government and the transformative period of the Taiwan Miracle, the island’s journey has been shaped by both external influences and internal resilience. The true story of Kun-lin Tsai, as portrayed in The Boy from Clearwater, highlights many of these themes.

     Following the Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan became the first colony in Japan’s burgeoning empire. The colonial administration developed infrastructure, including railways, ports, and sanitation systems, and introduced public education. However, these advancements primarily benefited the Japanese imperial economy, colonial settlers in Taiwan, and elite collaborators rather than the general population.

     During the 1930s, Japan’s militarization intensified, and so did its assimilation policies. Taiwanese were encouraged—and later forced—to adopt Japanese names, speak Japanese, and follow Shinto practices. This period saw the suppression of traditional Chinese culture and languages, creating a deep cultural divide that lingered for decades. Resistance against these policies varied, from covert cultural preservation efforts to outright rebellions.[1]

     Economically, Taiwan became an important supplier of agricultural products and raw materials for Japan’s expanding empire. Sugar production, in particular, grew significantly under Japanese oversight, with plantations and processing plants dotting the island. While these developments boosted Taiwan’s economic output, they were primarily designed to serve Japanese interests, leaving many Taiwanese in poverty and subservience.

     In 1937, Japan invaded the Republic of China and quickly overran Nanjing, the capital. Four years later, in 1941, Japan declared war on the United States and expanded its empire throughout Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. During the war, Taiwan served as both a military base and a supply hub for Japan’s expansionist campaigns in the Pacific. The island’s infrastructure, including ports, railways, and airfields, was heavily utilized for military purposes, and its agricultural output—particularly sugar and rice—supported Japan’s war effort. Taiwanese men were conscripted into the Japanese army, with many serving in various capacities across Asia. Kun-lin Tsai and his family were no exceptions. Additionally, the local population endured strict wartime policies, including food rationing and intensified assimilation efforts that demanded unwavering loyalty to Japan. Bombing raids by Allied forces targeted key facilities, causing significant civilian casualties and destruction. By the war’s end in 1945, Taiwan’s economy and infrastructure were heavily damaged, setting the stage for a challenging postwar transition as the island was transferred from Japanese to Chinese Nationalist rule.

     The initial postwar optimism among Taiwan’s residents quickly turned into disillusionment as the KMT government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, imposed corrupt and exploitative policies. Economic mismanagement and rising inflation fueled widespread dissatisfaction.

     On February 28, 1947, KMT officers harassed a street vendor for selling contraband cigarettes. The incident quickly turned violent, leading to island-wide protests. The KMT’s response was brutal, with military forces massacring tens of thousands of Taiwanese in what became known as the 2-28 Incident. Eyewitness accounts detail horrific scenes of soldiers firing into crowds, arbitrary arrests, and mass executions.

     In 1949, Chiang Kai-shek’s KMT government was defeated by Mao Zedong and his Communist Party on the Chinese mainland. Chiang and approximately 1.5 million Chinese refugees fled to Taiwan, further complicating the island’s ethnic dynamics.

     These newcomers, known as “mainlanders” (waishengren 外省人; pronounced: WHY-sheng-ren), set up the rump Republic of China in exile and held privileged positions in the government and military, while native Taiwanese (benshengren 本省人; pronounced: BEN-SHENG-ren) were marginalized. Mainlanders brought with them a sense of superiority, viewing themselves as the legitimate rulers of China and Taiwan, and seeing the Taiwanese as Japanese collaborators. Meanwhile, native Taiwanese, who had experienced fifty years of Japanese colonial rule, found themselves excluded from key positions of power. Policies favoring mainlanders, such as better access to jobs and education, deepened the divide. Not surprisingly, these actions created an “us versus them” dynamic.

     The 2-28 Incident and the fall of the KMT regime on the mainland resulted in what came to be called the White Terror, a period of political repression targeting anyone perceived to be in opposition to the KMT. For the next three decades, martial law was imposed, and freedom of speech was severely curtailed. Thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured, or executed, often on dubious charges of being “communist sympathizers.” Families of the accused faced social ostracism and economic hardships, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear. Despite these challenges, underground resistance movements and advocacy groups began to form, laying the groundwork for Taiwan’s eventual democratization. This divide created lasting resentments and tensions that shaped Taiwan’s politics and society for decades, right up to the present day.

     Green Island, located off Taiwan’s eastern coast, became infamous as a detention center for political prisoners during the White Terror. From the 1950s to the 1980s, thousands of individuals accused of being “communist sympathizers” or “subversives” were sent to this remote prison, including Kun-lin Tsai. The harsh conditions and forced ideological re-education programs symbolized the KMT’s authoritarian grip on the island.

     Prisoners on Green Island endured extreme physical and psychological hardships. They were subjected to grueling labor, poor living conditions, and constant surveillance. The prison also hosted indoctrination programs designed to instill loyalty to the KMT. Despite these efforts, many detainees found ways to resist, sharing banned literature, composing secret writings, and forming solidarity networks.

     In addition to the White Terror, the KMT’s imposition of Mandarin as the official language exacerbated tensions. Taiwanese and Japanese, widely spoken by the native population, were relegated to informal contexts, fostering a sense of cultural erasure among Taiwanese people. Public schools mandated the use of Mandarin, and speaking Taiwanese or Japanese in official settings often resulted in censure or punishment.

     This multilingual environment created unique challenges and opportunities. Literature and popular culture often blended languages, reflecting the island’s complex identity. For example, songs in Taiwanese became a vehicle for expressing local sentiments, while Japanese anime and manga influenced young readers. Meanwhile, Mandarin gradually became the dominant language in urban areas and professional contexts, creating generational divides in linguistic preferences.

     During the KMT-dominated era in Taiwan, manhua (comics) played a crucial role in reflecting and shaping the sociopolitical landscape. Despite strict censorship and the imposition of the Comic Code, which regulated content to ensure it aligned with government ideals, manhua provided a unique medium for subtle social commentary and cultural expression. Artists like Liu Hsing-chin used their work to address issues such as urban-rural divides and the rapid industrialization of Taiwan.[2] Manhua also served as a form of escapism and entertainment for the public, offering a creative outlet during a time of political repression. Following his release from Green Island, Kun-lin Tsai eventually became a major leader in the manhua movement. This period laid the groundwork for the vibrant and diverse comic culture that Taiwan enjoys today.

     Despite its political turmoil, Taiwan experienced extraordinary economic growth between the 1950s and 1980s, often referred to as the “Taiwan Miracle.” Initially reliant on U.S. aid, Taiwan shifted to export-oriented industrialization under the guidance of the KMT government. Industries such as textiles, electronics, and petrochemicals flourished, turning Taiwan into one of Asia’s “Four Tigers.”

     Land reforms in the 1950s, which redistributed land from landlords to tenant farmers, boosted agricultural productivity and provided the capital for industrialization. The government also invested heavily in education and infrastructure, creating a skilled workforce and modern facilities. By the 1980s, Taiwan had transformed into a global manufacturing hub and a model of economic development.

     This economic growth also had profound social impacts. Urbanization accelerated as people moved from rural areas to cities for job opportunities. The rise of a middle class empowered citizens to demand greater political rights and freedoms, contributing to Taiwan’s democratization. By the late 1980s, Taiwan’s economy was not only thriving but also driving social and political change, setting the stage for the democratic reforms of the 1990s.

     Martial law in Taiwan, which lasted for over thirty-eight years, was lifted on July 15, 1987, by President Chiang Ching-kuo.[3] This marked the end of a period characterized by strict government control, suppression of dissent, and limited civil liberties. The lifting of martial law was a significant step toward democratization, allowing for greater political freedom and the eventual establishment of a multi-party democratic system. This transition was part of a broader wave of democratization occurring globally at the end of the Cold War.

     The stories of Green Island survivors, including Kun-lin Tsai’s, played a crucial role in Taiwan’s democratization and reconciliation processes. These personal and collective recollections have helped to highlight the injustices and human rights abuses that occurred under martial law, fostering a broader public awareness and acknowledgment of this dark chapter in Taiwan’s history.[4] The transformation of Green Island into a Human Rights Cultural Park serves as a poignant reminder of past atrocities and a symbol of the commitment to human rights and democratic values.[5] By confronting and commemorating these painful memories, Taiwan has been able to promote healing and reconciliation, paving the way for a more open and democratic society.

     Taiwan’s history is a rich tapestry of colonization, resistance, economic transformation, and democratization. From Japanese colonial rule and its assimilation policies to the KMT’s authoritarian regime and eventual democratization, these experiences have profoundly shaped Taiwan’s identity. The stories of Green Island survivors, the cultural resilience expressed through manhua, and the economic achievements of the Taiwan Miracle highlight the island’s journey toward reconciliation and progress. The story of Kun-lin Tsai, in The Boy from Clearwater, is one example of Taiwan’s ability to confront its past and embrace its diverse heritage. It serves as a powerful example of resilience and the pursuit of democratic ideals.

Author: David Kenley, PhD, modern China specialist

2025

[1] For example, the Wushe Incident—a major uprising against Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan—occurred in October 1930, led by members of the Seediq indigenous group. One of the most significant episodes of resistance during Japan’s fifty-year occupation of Taiwan (1895–1945), it resulted in increased efforts to assimilate the people of Taiwan.

[2] Julia Chen, “Tales of Taiwan’s Comic Artists: Persecution, Isolation and Endless Talent,” The News Lens, 25 January 2018. Available online at https://international.thenewslens.com/article/88234

[3] Mark Harrison, “The End of Martial Law: An Important Anniversary for Taiwan,” Global Taiwan Institute, 26 July 2017. Available online at https://globaltaiwan.org/2017/07/the-end-of-martial-law-an-important-anniversary-for-taiwan/

[4] Lung-chih Chang, “Island of Memories. Postcolonial Historiography and Public Discourse in Contemporary Taiwan,” International Journal for History, Culture and Modernity, 2014.

[5] Guy Beauregard, “‘There but Not There’: Green Island and the Transpacific Dimensions of Representing White Terror,” MELUS, 48.3 (Fall 2023): 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1093/melus/mlad064

NCTA webinar with translator Lin King