Rose Monument - Tsai Ru-Yue Dance Research Society Introduction
Teacher Tsai Rui-yue is considered a pioneer of modern dance in Taiwan, dedicating herself tirelessly to the promotion of modern dance. Born in Tainan City in 1921, she traveled to Japan at the age of 16 to study under Mr. Baku Ishii, known as the father of modern dance, where she built a foundation in dance. Upon returning to Taiwan, she devoted all her efforts to dance and introduced the concepts of modern dance to the island. Throughout her career, she left over 500 modern dance creations, including works like "Song of India" and "We Love Taiwan," while also integrating diverse dance styles, such as ballet, folk dance, and Taiwanese traditional dances, earning her the title of the mother of modern dance in Taiwan. The Tsai Rui-yue Dance Research Society is a historic building, originally a官 dormitory from the Japanese colonial period, where various levels of dormitories were constructed in the Taipei City area, mostly wooden types of Japanese houses. In 1920, several pairs of wooden dormitories were built along Zhongshan North Road, including the structure that would become the Tsai Rui-yue Dance Research Society. Based on its layout, it served as the dormitory for Japanese appointed officials. In 1953, it became the home and studio for Tsai Rui-yue, the mother of modern dance in Taiwan, where she choreographed and practiced her dances, later evolving into a dance classroom. Although it suffered from a fire, in 1999, experts recognized this site as the foundation of modern dance in Taiwan, leading to a collective decision to rebuild, thus preserving the historical site from commercial interests and extending its legacy.
