Rose Heritage Site - Tsai Rui-yue Dance Research Society Introduction
Teacher Tsai Ru-yue can be considered a pioneer of modern dance in Taiwan, dedicating herself to promoting this art form. Born in Tainan City in 1921, she journeyed to Japan at the age of 16 to study under Mr. Baku Ishii, known as the father of modern dance, laying her dance foundations. After returning to Taiwan, she invested all her efforts in dance, bringing the concept of modern dance to the island. On this land, Teacher Tsai left behind over 500 contemporary dance creations, such as "Song of India" and "We Love Taiwan," blending various dance styles, including ballet, ethnic dance, and Taiwan's folk dances, earning her the title of the Mother of Modern Dance in Taiwan. The Tsai Ru-yue Dance Research Society is a historic building, originally a civil servant's dormitory from the Japanese colonial period. During that time, various levels of dormitories were constructed in Taipei, mostly of wooden Japanese-style houses. In 1920, dozens of duplex wooden dormitories were built on Zhongshan North Road, including the one that became the Tsai Ru-yue Dance Research Society. Based on its layout, it served as the dormitory for Japanese appointed officials. In 1953, it became the home, choreography, and rehearsal studio for Tsai Ru-yue, the Mother of Modern Dance in Taiwan, eventually evolving into a dance classroom. Though it once succumbed to a fire, it was unanimously recognized by experts and scholars of cultural heritage in 1999 as a foundational site for modern dance in Taiwan, prompting a determined reconstruction to prevent commercial exploitation and to continue the life of this historic site.
