Sugiura Shigemine: The Japanese Pilot Who Became a God in Taiwan

A red banner at the entrance of the sanctuary bears a Japanese message welcoming visitors from Japan.

Decorated statues of General Flying Tiger.

Sugiura’s older sister left this photo of her brother during a visit to Zhenan Temple.

Volunteer guide Guo Qiuyan smiles as she shares her pleasure at welcoming worshipers from Japan. Zhenan Temple receives over 600 Japanese visitors annually.

Zhenan Temple’s mikoshi is one of only a few Japanese-made portable shrines in Taiwan.

Worshipers at Zhenan Temple can commemorate their visit with special stamps.

A memorial service for Sugiura was held at the Gokoku Shrine in Mito.

Participants parade a mikoshi carrying the figure of Sugiura through his home neighborhood in Mito.

The last stop on the trip was the Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine. Parishioners living in the Kansai were in attendance to pay their respects.

The group kept the figure of Sugiura with them wherever they went, lighting cigarettes for the god during breaks.