Donghe Zen Temple Introduction
Donghe Zen Temple is located outside the East Gate of Taipei and was originally known as the main branch of the Soto School. It was established by Japanese monks in 1908, with the designer also being Japanese, Shin Tarō Iri. In 1916, a Buddhist school was established to educate the children of monks and lay supporters, teaching Buddhist doctrines and general knowledge. In 1935, it was renamed Taipei High School, and post-war, it was changed to Taibei High School. In 1930, a tall bell tower was built in front of the main hall, which still exists today; however, the main hall and other ancient buildings were heavily damaged after being occupied by military forces and civilians for an extended period, and unfortunately, they have been demolished in recent years. The bell tower has distinctive architecture; although it is made of reinforced concrete, it was meticulously crafted according to traditional methods. The roof is of the single-eave style with Japanese black tiles, adorned with a ridge tile. A large bronze bell is suspended inside the second floor, and the exterior features a projecting flat railing, giving it an ethereal charm. The first floor uses rough stone blocks with arched entrances, resembling a city gate. This style reflects the architectural trends popular during the Japanese Momoyama and Edo periods and evolved into modern Japanese-style architecture in the 20th century. (Source: Ministry of Culture, Cultural Heritage Administration)
