One Drop Water Memorial Hall Introduction
The origin of the name "One Drop of Water Memorial Hall": It is named in memory of Mr. Shimizu Ben, the son of the original builder Shimizu Kakuji, who inherited the Zen Buddhist thoughts of the Japanese Zen master "Drip Water." He emphasized the importance of cherishing all resources; even a seemingly insignificant drop of water should be used to its fullest. Furthermore, this name acknowledges all the volunteer laborers involved in the relocation process, who, through their actions, conveyed the spirit of selfless dedication. Even something as small as a drop of water can gather strength to accomplish this difficult international relocation project, hence the name "One Drop of Water Memorial Hall." A passionate and selfless international relocation journey: This structure was relocated from a wooden building in Ōi Town, Fukui Prefecture, Japan, known as Tamsui Itteki Memorial House. Built in 1915, it is a traditional Japanese house that symbolizes the friendship between the Japanese and Taiwanese people, stemming from the connections between the Hanshin Earthquake in Japan and the 921 Earthquake in Taiwan. Through the efforts of many enthusiastic individuals from both Japan and Taiwan, it was dismantled in 2005 and completed its reconstruction in December 2009, taking approximately five years and multiple transfers, spanning a journey of over 3,000 kilometers from Japan to Taiwan. Beyond being a platform for Taiwan-Japan exchanges, this relocation also stands as a spiritual fortress for community building among international citizens. The hall features the "Shimizu Ben Library" and the "Chen Shun-Chin Library" to promote modern literary exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. Delving into the vocabulary of century-old traditional houses: This traditional house, personally built by the Japanese literary giant Shimizu Ben’s father, Shimizu Kakuji, consists of over 600 beams and pillars that were constructed without a single nail. The mortise and tenon joining techniques exceed 20 types, showcasing the pinnacle of wooden architectural culture. Among them, the main black pillar, counting the third from the outside, is the long and vertical pillar that connects the most horizontal beams. In Japanese culture, it represents the role of the head of the family. The "doma-fuda" at the top of the pillar serves as the identity proof of the old house, wrapped in a red cloth. This wooden tag records the year of construction and the name of the builder (master). Additionally, a pair of cut grass sandals, tied with this red cloth, signifies the intention of taking root and not relocating again, adding an interesting and imaginative element to its story.
