One Drop Water Memorial Hall Introduction
One Drop Memorial Hall derives its name from the dedication to Mr. Mizushima Ben, the son of the original builder, Mizushima Kakuji, who inherited the Zen philosophy of the Japanese Zen master "Dripping Water." This philosophy emphasizes the importance of cherishing all resources, suggesting that even something as seemingly insignificant as a drop of water should be maximized in its use. Additionally, the name honors the labor and dedication of the many volunteers who contributed to the relocation process. Their tangible actions conveyed the spirit of selfless contribution, showing that even a small drop of water can gather strength to complete this challenging transnational relocation project. The passionate and selfless transnational relocation journey involved moving a wooden building from Ōi, Fukui Prefecture, Japan—Tamsui Itteki Memorial House—constructed in 1915 as a traditional Japanese farmhouse. This initiative arose from the friendship between the people of Japan and Taiwan following the Hanshin earthquake in Japan and the 921 earthquake in Taiwan. Through the efforts of many enthusiastic individuals from both countries, the dismantling began in 2005, and the reconstruction was completed in December 2009, after about five years of multi-stage relocation covering a journey of over 3,000 kilometers from Japan to Taiwan. Beyond serving as a platform for Taiwan-Japan exchanges, this relocation also stands as a spiritual stronghold for community building among nations. Inside the hall, the "Mizushima Memorial Library" and "Chen Shun-Chin Library" have been established to promote modern literary exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. A closer look at the vocabulary of the century-old traditional farmhouse: This farmhouse, built by the Japanese literary giant Mizushima Ben’s father, Mizushima Kakuji, features over six hundred wooden beams and pillars without a single nail used. It utilizes more than twenty types of mortise and tenon joints, showcasing the pinnacle of wooden construction culture. The main black pillar in the house, counted as the third pillar from the entrance, is the longest and connects the most horizontal beams. In Japanese culture, it represents the father’s role as the head of the family. The "doma fuda" (a wooden plate wrapped in red cloth) at the top of the pillar serves as proof of the farmhouse’s identity, recording the year of construction and the name of the builder (the "tōryō"). Wrapped around the red cloth is a pair of cut-off straw sandals, symbolizing the intent to take root and never relocate again, making it both intriguing and thought-provoking.
