Draft:Hirohara Shrine

Coordinates: 3°34′49.674″N 98°40′15.9312″E / 3.58046500°N 98.671092000°E / 3.58046500; 98.671092000
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Hirohara Jinja
Hirohara Shrine
紘原神社
Hirohara shrine in 2024
Religion
AffiliationShinto
SectJingūkyō[1]
FestivalTaishohou Taibi (大詔奉戴日) (8th of every month)
TypeShinto shrine
Year consecrated1905[2]
Location
LocationJalan R.A. Kartini No.36, Madras Hulu, Medan Polonia, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
Hirohara Shrine is located in Medan
Hirohara Shrine
Shown within Medan
Hirohara Shrine is located in Northern Sumatra
Hirohara Shrine
Hirohara Shrine (Northern Sumatra)
Hirohara Shrine is located in Sumatra
Hirohara Shrine
Hirohara Shrine (Sumatra)
Hirohara Shrine is located in Indonesia
Hirohara Shrine
Hirohara Shrine (Indonesia)
Geographic coordinates3°34′49.674″N 98°40′15.9312″E / 3.58046500°N 98.671092000°E / 3.58046500; 98.671092000
Architecture
StyleIshi-no-ma-zukuri
Date established1905[2]
Groundbreaking1942[a]
CompletedJuly 4, 1944 (1944-07-04)[1]
Glossary of Shinto
  1. ^ Current iteration

Hirohara Jinja (紘原神社, Hirohara Jinja, lit. "Hirohara Shrine") is a Shinto shrine located in in Medan, Indonesia. The shrine was built in 1942 by the 2nd Guards Division of the former Imperial Japanese Army.[3] It is situated slightly inland from the North Sumatra Governor’s Office, formerly known as the East Coast Provincial Office during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.

The shrine is believed to be the last remaining surviving shrine building among those built by the former Japanese Imperial Army in various parts of the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere and the last in Southeast Asia.[4][3] The shrine remained after the war and is now used as a meeting place for the local rich as the 'Medan Club'. The building was designated as a heritage site and protected by the Malang city Government,[2] though the future of the site is uncertain.

Name[edit]

The 'Hiro' (紘) in Hirohara was taken from the Greater East Asia War principle 'Hakkō ichiu', and the 'Hara' (原) was named after the Indonesian word 'Medan' (field).[1][5]

History[edit]

Medan had a sparse population nor had a rapid development until the middle of the Meiji era, when the Dutch rulers began to release land for tobacco plantations. This shift in land use facilitated Medan's evolution into a prominent trading hub, subsequently elevating its status to a governmental center. Soon word began to spread over the burgeoning prosperity of the city, attracting a wave of migrant laborers, notably from the Japanese community. Due to this, Medan has been a center of Japanese immigration to Indonesia outside of Batavia.[5] Dutch consulate reports indicate that there were 782 registered Japanese migrants in Batavia in 1909 (with an estimated 400 more yet to register), and an additional 278 (comprising 57 men and 221 women) in Medan by 1910.[6] Renowned poet Mitsuharu Kaneko, once also stayed at an inn in Medan's Indian quarter, Kampung Keling, during his travels to the Dutch East Indies in the early Showa period. Stating that there were more than 40 Japanese-run inns in the new town alone.[7] Japanese laborers then became entrepreneurs, some even plantation owners themselves.

According to local accounts in Medan, preceding the establishment of the Hirohara Shrine at its current site, there existed a precursor Japanese shrine. Historian, Ichwan Azhari [id], explained that due to the influx of Japanese laborers to Medan, who were at the time recorded majority as adhering to Japanese Buddhism, it necessitated a designated place of worship for the growing community. Thus leading to the creation of the first iteration of the shrine.[2] According to the last head of the Medan Club, Eswin Soekardja, the shrine was made after when Japanese laborers entered and settled in Medan.[8]

Japanese invasion[edit]

Takuma Nishimura, Division Commander of the 2nd Guards Division greenlit the project

After the Fall of Singapore and the Invasion of Sumatra, On June 1, 1943 , the 2nd Guards Division made the Medan area of ​​Sumatra, Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia ) as their base of operations in Southeast Asia. Then lieutenant general, Takuma Nishimura, was appointed as the military Governor of Sumatra.[9] During the war, shrines were erected across occupied territories as places of prayer for victory and enhanced morale, Indonesia alone there are 11 shrines.[10] Following this, Nishimura then initiated the construction of a shrine of his own on the land.[3] It is said that the that the wood used for the shrine was a “sacred tree” from deep within the Aceh mountains, supplied by the Showa Rubber branch in Medan during the military occupation, and that Dutch prisoners of war were employed in its construction, making it possibly the only shrine built by Christians.[11]

During the war, ceremonies were held at the Hirohara Shrine on the 1st and 15th of every month, with the 8th day designated for the Great Ceremony [ja] (Japanese: 大詔奉戴日, romanized: Taishohou Taibi.) Military personnel would visit to pray for victory, subsequently worshipping the Miyagi Yohai  [ja] (Japanese: 宮城遥拝), a practice of bowing to the general direction of the Japanese imperial family (Miyagi) from afar.[11] This practice seemed peculiar to the predominantly Muslim population of Medan, who pray towards Mecca five times daily. During the occupation, some Japanese soldiers compelled residents, even foreigners in POW camps, to worship the Japanese imperial family from a distance, causing friction as doing Miyagi Yohai is eastward, the exact opposite direction of Mecca in the west.[11][12] Although the basics of Islam were initially taught to the top executives of Japan’s military government, this education was not thoroughly implemented, leading to issues. Shizuo Saito, a former ambassador to Indonesia and a military administrator for the former Japanese Army during the war, wrote in his book that he "institutionalized hair cutting'' and "forced Japanese language,'' as well as "forced worship from a distance in Miyagi.'' He stated that the locals were encouraged to visit the shrine and that he made them worship.[12] Despite the destruction of these shrines by the Japanese army and locals at the end of the war, the Hirohara Shrine inexplicably remained intact. Given the limited construction during the three-year Japanese occupation of Indonesia, the Hirohara Shrine is considered a significant historical structure.[3]

Medan club[edit]

Medan club in 1972, used as a competition venue. Dr. Hidayat is on the left.

During the occupation of the city of Medan by the Allies, the building was repurposed as a Dutch white supremacist clubhouse known as De Witte Sociëteit (English: The White Society.)[13][14] De Witte Sociëteit was established in 1879, serving as a gathering place for the white, Dutch Totoks, Chinese, high-ranking land owners of Deli, and the Sultan of Deli himself;[13] no Inlander and dogs would be allowed in.[14] Their first clubhouse was located adjacent to the main post office of Medan (now the Bank BCA). The Club House was initially conceived as a convivial space for Dutch plantation owners where they could assemble for recreational activities. This encompassed partaking in beverages such as coffee, engaging in smoking, and participating in discussions from literature and business to politics, art, and culture.[15]

Following the departure of the Dutch from Indonesia, former KNIL military members Dr. Hidayat, Dr. Soekarja, Dr. Hariono, and Dr. Ibrahim Irsan took over this clubhouse building and renamed it "Medan Club". The Medan Club was an exclusive establishment for the upper echelons of Medan society. Membership is required to access the Medan Club’s facilities.[13] Medan Club foundation, a foundation formerly owned by 150-200 members, that runs the operation, administration and upkeep of the former shrine, claims financial difficulties,[13] with income derived only from monthly member fees and high operational costs. This led the delinquent absence in paying property tax since 2009, with a total debt of Rp.964,154,774, including late payment fines. The Medan Revenue Service has sent four tax invoices since 2013 and plans to issue another one soon.[16] Amids financial difficulties, in 2018, the owners of the Medan Club opened the Medan Club to the public and turned the Medan club from an exclusive members only club into a high-end restaurant and meeting venue.[17][4]

On August 6, 2018, to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia, a seminar was held by the Consulate-General of Japan in Medan at the Medan Club, featuring various dignitaries as speakers. The celebration included cultural promotions such as Shodō, Sadō, Furoshiki Wrapping, as well as performance arts such as Yosakoi dance and karate.[18][19]

A year later, the owners then intended to retool the club into a 'night life' entertainment club. The sudden retooling brought scrutiny as the Medan club has not obtained the necessary business license for operating as a night entertainment venue and was only permitted under a restaurant license.[17] Amidst financial difficulties and the high cost of maintaining the shrine building, the Club find itself at the brink of bankruptcy.

Possible demolition[edit]

On 28 October 2021, the former shrine was officially designated as a cultural heritage site by the Medan City Government. This recognition was basedon Medan City Government Decree (SK) number 433 of 2021, issued by Mayor Bobby Nasution.[2] Unexpectedly on 9 July, the provincial government bars the selling of the land to any third party other than the provincial government themselves. Then governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi, revealed the plan of the North Sumatra Provincial Government to buy Medan Club. Deeming it necessary to develop the land and expand office facilities for the benefit of local government and the community.[20][21] The land was agreed to be bought for over Rp.457 billion and has been estimated in the 2022 APBD amounting to Rp.300 billion and the rest Rp.157 billion more, estimated in the 2023 APBD.[22] The purchase brought in criticism, starting from the urgency for the benefit of the people of North Sumatra, to the price and purchasing mechanism which is said to be indicated as violating the rules.[23] Though the later was deemed to be legal after a ruling by the North Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office.[24]

On 16 January 2023, the barrier between the former shrine and the provincial office has been destroyed,[25] intending to use the land for parking space and local social activities for the time being.[26][27] Plans are underway to construct a multi-purpose building on this site, serving as a hub for public services, permits, and other administrative functions. The Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for the building is currently being prepared, with an estimated budget of around Rp500 million. The future of the former shrine is uncertain, with its complete demolition being a possibility.[26] As the area of the shrine including the shrine itself was designated as an office zone and the maximum building height for the area being 13 floors according to the City Regional Regulation No. 2/2015 on the Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR) and Zoning Regulations of Medan City 2015-2035.[23][24]

Structure[edit]

The club’s premises, which likely encompass the site of the old main shrine, feature Western-style partitioned rooms where members can eat local and western foods. Although the torii gate has been removed, careful observation reveals remnants of its past shrine aesthetics. Several ancient trees, believed to have been part of the original temple grounds, still stand on the property.[11][4] According to Eswin Soekardja, the land encompassing the building used to be as big as 1.5 Hectares, including a golf course (which might possibly used to be the Shrine's garden) that reaches until the Deli River.[2] The haiden (拝殿, worship hall) and Shamusho (社務所, shrine office), still remains the same, albeit partially altered.[1] Noticeably the flooring of the shrine; now ceramic tiling rather than wood paneling for the earthen floor.[4]

Gallery[edit]

  • Tamagushi ceremony during the construction of the Shamusho (社務所) of the Hirohara shrine (c. 1944)
    Tamagushi ceremony during the construction of the Shamusho (社務所) of the Hirohara shrine (c. 1944)
  • Side view of the Shamusho today
    Side view of the Shamusho today
  • Wedding ceremony group photo. Front row, second from left, the mediator, Lieutenant General Tetsuzo Nakajima [ja] and to his right, Itoko Koyama, who was in Medan as a military writer (April 7, 1944.)[1]
    Wedding ceremony group photo. Front row, second from left, the mediator, Lieutenant General Tetsuzo Nakajima [ja] and to his right, Itoko Koyama, who was in Medan as a military writer (April 7, 1944.)[1]
  • Same view, now a parking lot with remnants visible and the same trees untouched
    Same view, now a parking lot with remnants visible and the same trees untouched
  • Hirohara Jinja Haiden (拝殿) (c. 1944)
    Hirohara Jinja Haiden (拝殿) (c. 1944)
  • Same side view of the Haiden today, now a storage and generator room
    Same side view of the Haiden today, now a storage and generator room
  • Hirohara Jinja main Haiden
    Hirohara Jinja main Haiden
  • Shrine front balcony
    Shrine front balcony
  • Medan Club entrance
    Medan Club entrance
  • Interior of the Shamusho
    Interior of the Shamusho
  • Hall behind the Haiden. possibly the Honden (本殿) of the shrine.
    Hall behind the Haiden. possibly the Honden (本殿) of the shrine.
  • Stairs connecting the Haiden and Honden under one roof. An unusual chūden (中殿)
    Stairs connecting the Haiden and Honden under one roof. An unusual chūden (中殿)
  • Haiden Interior back
    Haiden Interior back
  • Haiden interior front
    Haiden interior front
  • Basement below
    Basement below

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e 中島, 三千男; 津田, 良樹; 稲宮, 康人 (2019-03-20). "旧オランダ領東印度（現インドネシア共和国）に建てられた神社について" [On shrines built in the former Dutch East Indies (now Republic of Indonesia)]. 非文字資料研究センター News Letter (in Japanese) (41): 17–23. ISSN 2432-549X.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Dibeli Pemprov Sumut, Medan Club Sudah Ditetapkan Sebagai Cagar Budaya oleh Pemko Medan". Tribun-medan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  3. ^ a b c d "スマトラ.メダンにある日本の歴史遺産 紘原神社 - 「老人タイムス」私説". goo blog (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  4. ^ a b c d Inamiya, Yasuhito; Nakajima, Michio (November 2019). 非文字資料研究叢書２ 「神国」の残影｜国書刊行会 [Remnants of “Sacred Country” | Photographic Records of Sites of Overseas Shrines] (in Japanese). Kokusho Publishing Association. ISBN 978-4-336-06342-7. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  5. ^ a b "コタ.コタ インドネシア（６）メダン 神社転じてクラブ - 「老人タイムス」私説". goo blog (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  6. ^ Murayama, Yoshitada (2018-12-31), "4. The Pattern Of Japanese Economic Penetration Of The Prewar Netherlands East Indies", The Japanese in Colonial Southeast Asia, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, pp. 89–112, retrieved 2024-05-01
  7. ^ Kaneko, Mitsuharu (2004). マレー蘭印紀行 [Malay Orchid Travelogue] (in Japanese) (revised Chuko Bunko ed.).
  8. ^ NgeHank - Bangunan Tertua Di Medan, Medan Club. Waspada.Id. Retrieved 2024-05-01 – via www.youtube.com.
  9. ^ Shinozaki, Mamoru (April 1978). Lieutenant General Nishimura's sense of responsibility - Behind the war crimes trial. Vol. 36. Shi. pp. 48–53.
  10. ^ Dendy (2017-03-17). "Malang Gudang Sejarah Belanda dan Jepang". Jurnalis Malang. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  11. ^ a b c d "『 紘原（ひろはら）神社』". １０００都物語 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  12. ^ a b Saito, Shizuo (March 1977). 私の軍政記 : インドネシア独立前夜. Japan Indonesia Association.
  13. ^ a b c d "Pembelian Medan Club: "Lemahnya Dinas Kominfo Sumut"". AgioDeli.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  14. ^ a b "White Society". Stories from Deli. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  15. ^ "1879 Club house of the Witte Societeit, Medan". 1879 Club house of the Witte Societeit, Medan ~ Tembakau Deli. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  16. ^ Redaksi. "Medan Club Tunggak PBB 6 Tahun - Sumut Pos". Medan Club Tunggak PBB 6 Tahun - Sumut Pos (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  17. ^ a b Redaksi. "Pembangunan Tempat Hiburan Malam di Medan Club, IMB dan Peruntukannya sebagai Restoran - Sumut Pos". Pembangunan Tempat Hiburan Malam di Medan Club, IMB dan Peruntukannya sebagai Restoran - Sumut Pos (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  18. ^ "Acara Peringatan 60 Tahun Hubungan Diplomatik Jepang – Indonesia". Konsulat Jenderal Jepang di Medan. 6 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Promosikan Kebudayaan Jepang pada Warga Medan". Analisadaily.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  20. ^ Bisnis, Harian Medan. "Gubernur Edy Ungkap Rencana Pemprov Sumut Beli Medan Club". Benny Pasaribu - MedanBisnisDaily.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  21. ^ "Lahan Medan Club Mau Dijual, Edy Rahmayadi Sebut Pemprov Sumut yang Harus Beli". Tribun-medan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  22. ^ "Pemprov Sumut Klaim Sudah Beli Lahan Medan Club, Akan Dijadikan Kantor Satu Atap". Tribun-medan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  23. ^ a b Gunawan, Indra. "Isu panas pembelian Medan Club, Pemprov Sumut mengaku dapat pendampingan hukum dari Kejaksaan - Sumatera Insider". Sumatera Insider (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  24. ^ a b Lubis, Ahmad Arfah Fansuri. "Pemprov Beli Medan Club Rp 457 M untuk Perluasan Kantor Gubsu". detiksumut (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  25. ^ Simbolon, Radja P. (2023-01-16). "Tembok pembatas Medan Club dirubuhkan usai pelunasan lahan". Topmetro News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  26. ^ a b Ritonga, Rechtin Hani. "Pemprov Sumut Mulai Gunakan Medan Club". Benny Pasaribu - MedanBisnisDaily.com (in Indonesia). Retrieved 2024-04-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  27. ^ "Bangunan Eks Medan Club, Difungsikan Sementara Kegiatan Sosial bagi Masyarakat - Sumut Pos". Bangunan Eks Medan Club, Difungsikan Sementara Kegiatan Sosial bagi Masyarakat - Sumut Pos (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-04-17.

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