{{Short description|Japanese Shrine during Indonesia's occupation}} {{infobox religious building | name = Ching Nan Jinja<br />Chinnan Shrine<br />鎮南神社 | image = Malang. (Reproductie van een foto, genomen onder de Japanse bezetting.) De Japan, Bestanddeelnr 344-5-4.jpg | caption = Japanese officers pose with Indonesians in Ching Nan Jinja, Malang | map_type = Indonesia_Java#Indonesia#Asia | map_alt = | coordinates = {{coord|7|57|34.074|S|112|37|12.8316|E|type:landmark|display=inline, title}} | map_relief = | map_size = | map_caption = | religious_affiliation = [[Shinto]] | type = [[Shinto shrine]] | deity = [[Amaterasu]] | founded_by = | established = {{start date|1943|03}} | date_destroyed = {{end date|1945|08}} | location = [[Malang]], [[East Java]], [[Indonesia]] | website = | architecture_style = | festival = | leadership = }}
{{Nihongo|'''Ching Nan Jinja'''|鎮南神社|Chinnan Jinja|lit. "Chinnan Shrine"}}{{efn|Whilst the correct transliteration would be ''Chinnan'', Indonesian sources writes it as ''Ching Nan'' due to common usage and Indonesian spelling.}} was a Shinto shrine that once stood in [[Malang]], Indonesia. It was built by the [[Japanese Imperial Army]] during their [[Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies|occupation of Indonesia]] between 1942 and 1945. The name “Ching Nan” means "to dominate the southern region" or "to dominate the countries south of Japan."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dimas |first=Ardian |date=2021-09-04 |title=Menelusuri Keberadaan Ching Nan Jinja di Malang |url=https://www.wearemania.net/ngalam/menelusuri-keberadaan-ching-nan-jinja-di-malang/1228 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801055413/https://www.wearemania.net/ngalam/menelusuri-keberadaan-ching-nan-jinja-di-malang/1228 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Ngalam Wearemania |language=en-US}}</ref> The shrine was built as a place of worship for followers of [[Shinto|Shintoism]], the native religion of [[Japan]], and was dedicated to [[Amaterasu|Amaterasu Omikami]], the Sun Goddess and highest deity in Shintoism.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" /> There are about 1600 [[Shinto shrine|Shinto shrines]] (''Jinja'') outside Japan, and in [[Indonesia]] there are 11 shrines, one of which was Ching Nan Jinja.<ref name=":3" />
It was completely razed to the ground by retreating Japanese soldiers in late August 1945. No trace of the shrine remains. If it were still standing, it would be one of the biggest Shinto shrines in Indonesia, second only to the [[Hirohara Shrine|Hirohara shrine]] (now housing the [[Medan Club]] in [[Medan]]),<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=中島 |first1=三千男 |last2=津田 |first2=良樹 |last3=稲宮 |first3=康人 |date=2019-03-20 |title=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 |trans-title=On shrines built in the former Dutch East Indies (now Republic of Indonesia). |url=https://kanagawa-u.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/12706 |journal=非文字資料研究センター News Letter |language=ja |issue=41 |pages=17–23 |issn=2432-549X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hani Ritonga |first=Rechtin |date=23 January 2023 |editor-last=Prasandi |editor-first=Ayu |title=Dibeli Pemprov Sumut, Medan Club Sudah Ditetapkan Sebagai Cagar Budaya oleh Pemko Medan |url=https://medan.tribunnews.com/2023/01/23/dibeli-pemprov-sumut-medan-club-sudah-ditetapkan-sebagai-cagar-budaya-oleh-pemko-medan |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Tribun-medan.com |language=id-ID}}</ref> and the southernmost Shinto shrine in [[Asia]].<ref name=":5" />
== Location == The location of the shrine has long been a subject of discussion among historians and cultural heritage observers in Malang as no remnants of the shrine were recovered or noted. It is suspected that it was located in and around the former Malang racetrack, now transformed into a school and residential area;<ref name=":5" /> the other being the site of the current building of the Health Polytechnic (Poltekkes) of Malang. Another possibility lies in Bengawan Solo Street.<ref name=":4" />
In 2017, through extensive research by researchers from [[Kanagawa University]], the existence of the shrine was later confirmed to have existed in the city of Malang.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Akaibara |date=10 July 2017 |title=Pernah Ada Kuil Shinto di Kota Malang |url=https://ngalam.co/2017/07/10/pernah-ada-kuil-shinto-di-kota-malang/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220074856/https://ngalam.co/2017/07/10/pernah-ada-kuil-shinto-di-kota-malang/ |archive-date=2019-02-20 |access-date=2023-08-01 }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Taufik |date=12 March 2017 |title=Malang Beritaku: Sejarawan Jepang Telusuri Jejak Kuil Shinto di Kota Malang |url=http://malangberitaku.blogspot.com/2017/03/sejarawan-jepang-telusuri-jejak-kuil.html |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Malang Beritaku|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109120922/http://malangberitaku.blogspot.com/2017/03/sejarawan-jepang-telusuri-jejak-kuil.html |archive-date=2019-01-09 }}</ref> It is assumed that the Shrine was not situated on the Poltekkes Malang building, but the north of Pahlawan Trip Street which used to be the [[Mobile Brigade Corps|Brimob]] dormitory and a [[horse track]] before it.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last1=Inamiya |first1=Yasuhito |url=https://www.kokusho.co.jp/np/isbn/9784336063427/ |title=非文字資料研究叢書２ 「神国」の残影｜国書刊行会 |last2=Nakajima |first2=Michio |date=November 2019 |publisher=Kokusho Publishing Association |isbn=978-4-336-06342-7 |language=ja |trans-title=Remnants of “Sacred Country” {{!}} Photographic Records of Sites of Overseas Shrines |access-date=2023-08-01 |archive-date=2023-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801155416/https://www.kokusho.co.jp/np/isbn/9784336063427/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Dendy |date=2017-03-17 |title=Malang Gudang Sejarah Belanda dan Jepang |url=https://jurnalismalang.com/index.php/2017/03/17/malang-gudang-sejarah-belanda-dan-jepang/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Jurnalis Malang |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
Though historian, Tjahjana Indra Kusuma, challenges this positioning by basing his references from a 1943–1944 Allied Geographical Section map. The map in question locates Malang's 'Ching Nan' shrine near State Islamic High School No. 2 (MAN 2) of Malang, and possibly within the vicinity of Untung Suropati Heroes Cemetery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allied Geographical Section |date=5 September 1945 |title=Malang : Town plan |url=http://hdl.handle.net/1959.1/1401086 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Monash Collections Online |series=Map no. 36A |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Soerabaijasch Handelsblad|Nieuwe Courant]]'s publishing also denotes the location being beside a cemetery.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Budiman |first=Achmad |date=2023-10-10 |title=Misteri Letak Kuil Shinto (Jinja) Chiang Nan, Malang |url=https://www.anjani.id/misteri-letak-kuil-shinto-jinja-chiang-nan-di-malang/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Anjani |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 1947 |title=Japanse Tempel te Malang |url=https://www.nisjes.nl/onderzoeken/fotocollectie/9ca815a4-178a-b64c-955d-f248b132afa |url-status=dead |archive-url= |work=[[Soerabaijasch Handelsblad|Nieuwe Courant]] |location=Surabaya |pages=3 |edition=29}}</ref> This is in line with what is shown on an archival picture (shelved by the [[Nationaal Archief]]) of the former shrine being located near the cemetery and on an incline with a road visible behind it.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Malang. (Reproductie van een foto, genomen onder de Japanse bezetting.) De Japanse tempel te Malang. |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10648/aef4da60-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802041850/https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/fotocollectie/aef4da60-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84?searchKey=48a59daae89eeed7b9ca79b1c58ca4d9 |archive-date=2023-08-02 |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=www.nationaalarchief.nl|hdl=10648/aef4da60-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84 }}</ref> In the same photo, [[cypress]] vegetation is visible in the background of the group photo featuring Japanese soldiers and Indonesian armed militia on guard. In other old photos of Malang, where only cypress vegetation is depicted, cypress trees were intentionally planted by the Malang ''Gemeente'' on Daendels Boulevard/Tugu area. These trees remain in a row until now only around the Untung Suropati Heroes Cemetery.<ref name=":8" />
Thus contrary to earlier assumptions, it is now believed that the shrine was not situated directly on the Racecourse, but the north of the [[Decauville railway|decauville]] or lorry railway of Keboen Agoeng Sugar Factory, running parallel along the south/east of Jakarta Street.<ref name=":1" /> However, based on this assumption, Untung Suropati Heroes Cemetery could not be visible from afar and would be far more distanced than the photo suggests.<ref name=":7" /> Thus another plausible location could be within the grounds of the [[State University of Malang]], which was formerly a plot of land owned by the local Malang city government,<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Sejarah |url=https://um.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/1-2-sejarah-19-SET.pdf |journal=Katalog UM Edisi 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wearemania |first=Ngalam |date=2021-08-20 |title=Sejarah Nama Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) |url=https://www.wearemania.net/ngalam/info-penting/sejarah-nama-universitas-negeri-malang-um/1126 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Ngalam Wearemania |language=id}}</ref> residing beside the cemetery. A resolute proof that could place the former shrine on the grounds of the university, adjacent to the Untung Suropati Heroes Cemetery, was the historical name of the area. The location was previously known as "Jinja" by locals, a term likely altered after Indonesia's independence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahardika |first=Arvendo |title=Ternyata Ada Daerah Bernama 'Jinja' di Malang? Bukan di Korea, Tapi Dulu di Tempat Dekat Matos dan UM - About Malang |url=https://www.aboutmalang.com/malang-raya/14211433208/ternyata-ada-daerah-bernama-jinja-di-malang-bukan-di-korea-tapi-dulu-di-tempat-dekat-matos-dan-um |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Ternyata Ada Daerah Bernama 'Jinja' di Malang? Bukan di Korea, Tapi Dulu di Tempat Dekat Matos dan UM - About Malang |language=id}}</ref>
== History == [[File:Chinnan Shrine Chōzuya.jpg|thumb|Ching Nan Shrine's [[Chōzuya|''Chōzu-ya'']].<br /><small>The [[Haiden (Shinto)|worship hall]] (''haiden'') can also be seen on the rear left</small>]] The shrine, referred to as a "Djinja" at the time, was constructed in 1943. Initially, the [[Army Ministry|Military Administration Headquarters]] ({{Langx|ja|軍政本部|translit=Gunsei Honbu}}) did not approve the construction of the shrine. However, the [[Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies#Japanese administration|local military administration]] proceeded with its construction on its own initiative,<ref name=":5"/> following the suggestion of [[Shizuichi Tanaka]],<ref name=":7"/><ref name=":1"/> a prominent figure known for his anti-European sentiment and strong support for the [[Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere|Greater Asian system]]. The construction was overseen by a renowned Japanese architect.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kusuma |first=Tjahjana Indra |date=2021-06-02 |title=Misteri Kuil Shinto (Jinja) Chiang Nan Malang |url=https://www.terakota.id/misteri-letak-kuil-shinto-jinja-chiang-nan-malang/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Terakota |language=id-ID}}</ref>
According to the analysis by Tjahjana Indra Kusuma of the Nationaal Archief picture, the ''[[torii]]'' is estimated to be over 8 meters high, 7.5 meters wide, with a diameter of 50‒60 cm. The shrine building's roof ridge is estimated to be 14‒15 meters high from ground level. The apparent width of the ''haiden'' ranges from 18.5‒19 meters. No statues of ''[[Komainu]]'', mythological dog-lion-like creatures used to ward off evil energy or intent, are present on the entrance of the site.<ref name=":8"/>
The shrine, made from exceptional old [[Teak wood]], was recognized as an impressive piece of craftsmanship and gained significance as a site of pilgrimage for notable Japanese individuals in Indonesia. It held a central role in hosting a variety of feasts, ceremonies, parades, gatherings, and celebrations. Notably, it drew the attention not only of Japanese regiments but also of parades representing diverse groups such as [[Chinese Indonesians|Chinese]], [[Arab Indonesians|Arabs]], [[German Indonesian|Germans]], and Indonesians. These parades once featured distinct elements like [[Dragon dance|dragons]], [[Dance in Indonesia|dances]], and [[National costume of Indonesia|traditional attire]], highlighting their respective cultural identities.<ref name=":1"/>
During one of these events, Nieuwe Courant reported that visiting German representatives such as [[Eugen Ott (ambassador)|Eugen Ott]], the German envoy from [[Tokyo]], and Ernst Ramm, the German consul-general from [[Mukden]], were treated separately from the Japanese authorities, despite in the side side in their cooperative efforts. They were positioned in their own designated corner, distanced from the Japanese officials.<ref name=":1"/>
== Destruction == With Japan's capitulation on August 15, 1945, Japanese soldiers dismantled and completely burned down the shrine, ending its existence.<ref name=":6" /> Possibly in fear of its desecration.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" />
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== See also ==
* [[Hirohara Shrine]] – Last still standing Shinto shrine in [[Southeast Asia]], located in [[Medan]] * [[Syonan Shrine]] – Shinto shrine in Singapore with a similar fate * [[Industrial and Administrative Group, Christmas Island|Rumah Tinggi Shrine]] – Shinto ''[[Kami]]'' shine on [[Christmas Island]] * [[Japanese migration to Indonesia]]
{{portalbar|Japan|Indonesia}} {{Shinto shrine}}
[[Category:Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies]] [[Category:Shinto shrines completed in the 20th century]] [[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Indonesia]] [[Category:Shinto shrines in the Japanese colonial empire]] [[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1944]] [[Category:1944 establishments in the Japanese colonial empire]] [[Category:Shinmei shrines]] [[Category:Temples in Indonesia]] [[Category:Malang]] {{Shinmei shrines}}