Old Beauty. Daily Necessities. Antique Tools Introduction
In Chiayi, a century-old house embodies an aesthetic philosophy that transcends time and form. As you turn from Chenggong Street into Xirong Street, the symmetrical black-tiled wooden house stands quietly in the alley, exuding a rustic elegance. A few years ago, the owner couple faced numerous challenges while planning to restore these two Japanese colonial wooden houses. With guidance from the Ministry of Culture’s Old House Revitalization program and aiming to "restore as it originally was," they endeavored to preserve the appearance of a century-old Taiwanese residence. The proprietors, Xiao Zhang and Xiao Fang, graduates of the Department of Fine Arts, possess a particularly keen sense of beauty. With around 20 years of experience in dealing with antique items and as their experience and wisdom have grown, they have further established a life philosophy of "not being constrained by the era or value of the items, but solely focusing on the existence of beauty." Rather than being troubled by the presentation of items for sale, it's more productive to initially consider whether the chosen item is genuinely loved. The era of an item is not the focal point of collection; as long as its color, texture, or shape aligns with one’s sense of beauty, it can be considered a treasure. Beautiful old objects often exhibit unique features and charms developed through different owners' usage, and this beauty from the passage of time, which cannot be quickly replicated, is part of the enjoyment of "appreciation." As the Japanese folk art master Yanagi Soetsu said, "Feel with your hands, and your hands will have the answer." The open business days are announced on Facebook each month for visitors to freely come and select items. At other times, to avoid disturbance from tourists, please make a reservation in advance. Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism Office | Photographer: Marg.
