One Drop Water Memorial Hall Introduction
The Origin of the Name of the Itteki Memorial House: It is named in memory of Mr. Suiseki Kenji, the son of the original builder Suiseki Kakuchi, who inherited the Zen Buddhist philosophy of "滴水" (Dripping Water) from Japan. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of cherishing all resources, suggesting that even something as seemingly insignificant as a drop of water should be fully utilized. Additionally, it acknowledges the hard work of the volunteers involved in the relocation process, who, through their selfless actions, embodied the spirit of dedication. Even something as small as a drop of water can gather energy to complete such a challenging international relocation project, thus the name "Itteki Memorial House" was chosen. The Passionate and Selfless International Relocation Journey: This wooden structure, the Tamsui Itteki Memorial House, was relocated from Ōi Town, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Built in 1915, it is a traditional Japanese house rooted in the friendship between the Japanese and Taiwanese people, emerging from the connections formed after the Hanshin and the 921 earthquakes in Taiwan. Through the efforts of many enthusiastic individuals from both Japan and Taiwan, the house was dismantled in 2005 and completed its reconstruction in December 2009. Over the span of about five years and multiple relocations, it traveled over 3,000 kilometers from Japan to Taiwan. Besides functioning as a platform for Taiwan-Japan交流 (Exchange), it serves as a spiritual stronghold for community building between international peoples. Inside, there is also a "Suiseki Kenji Library" and a "Chen Shun-Chin Library" to promote modern literary exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. Discovering the Architectural Vocabulary of the Century-Old Traditional House: This traditional house was personally built by the Japanese literary master Suiseki Kenji's father, Suiseki Kakuchi. Over 600 beams and columns were constructed without a single nail, employing more than 20 different jointing techniques, showcasing the pinnacle of wooden building culture. The large central pillar in the house, counting from outside the entrance as the third, is the longest and connects the most beams. In Japanese culture, it symbolizes the role of the father as the head of the family. The "Munezuka" (ridge marker) at the top of the pillar serves as the identity certificate of the traditional house, wrapped in red cloth, inscribed with the construction year and the name of the master builder. Additionally, a pair of cut straw sandals used during the raising ceremony is bound around the red cloth, symbolizing the intention to take root and no longer relocate, making it both intriguing and thought-provoking.
