Figure

Time: 12/25/2013 Place:Takao Renaissance Association

Q: Why is there a eucalyptus tree?

A: It is because of mosquito issue. Eucalyptus tree can dispel mosquitoes. Thanks for the convenient sea transportation because Kaohsiung city has a harbor, the eucalyptus in front of the association was here.

Q: What is the story of the eucalyptus tree?

A: The tree was planted to commemorate the oldest son's marriage in Guo's family. When Guo's family see the tree, they recall the memory how Guo started a business. They planted a male and a female tree to commemorate their son starting the business and getting married. It has been 54 years of history and I am 52 years old now.

Q: Why does only one eucalyptus tree remain?

A: There used to be a tree in front of every house representing its spirit. Because of the needs of economic development and road expansion, the trees were cut down. The government asked for removing the eucalyptus tree, but the Guo family wanted to preserve it. They made an application to the government to preserve it successfully three years ago.

Q: Why does Guo's house still remain the same?

A: The building is 90 years old and it still remains the same. It is different from the rest of the houses here. The reason that it kept new is the building materials. Because of the convenient transportation, we could get the white sand from Mongolia. It is different from the traditional materials. Although it has been so many years, it still remain the same.

Q: Have you heard of Mt. Ali cypress?

A: Japanese found out that cypress is not only rugged construction  materials, but also have good effect of repelling insects. Taiwan cypress needs nearly one hundred years to grow up, so its texture and flavor are better than those of Vietnam and other southeast Asian cypress. Japanese knew that and deforested  the area during Japanese occupation period. Due to the efficient shipment, many Taiwan cypress were imported to Japan. Many Japanese shrines are made from Taiwan cypress.  The shrines exudes a faint scent in cities, so Japanese love it very much.  It makes Taiwan cypress the best in the world.

Q: Why do Hamasen buildings built in Japanese period never fall?

A: The reason is Japanese built foundations with cypress.

Q: Why did Japanese build houses in Hamasen without stones and cement?

A: Houses there  were built by cypress, because Hamasen is a reclaimed land. General woods will expand and decay when contact water. Cement swells and shrinks in different weather so it cannot fill the gap. The foundations may be unstable. Cypress will become tight and not decay when contact water. Therefore, Japanese like to build houses with cypress.

Q: Why did Japanese build houses in Hamasen without stones and cement?

A: Houses there  were built by cypress, because Hamasen is a reclaimed land. General woods will expand and decay when contact water. Cement swells and shrinks in different weather so it cannot fill the gap. The foundations may be unstable. Cypress will become tight and not decay when contact water. Therefore, Japanese like to build houses with cypress.

Q: What is the difference between the houses our ancestry built and those nowadays?

A: Our ancestry built houses for next generation, so different design, materials, ideas were included and safety was the most important thing to them.　

Q: Had the house where we are now been renovated?

A: Yes! It was a big company, having several shops. But the others shops had been dismantled and this one is the last one. The house is called Sasaki Shop.

Q: Please observe the picture of Guo’s home.

A: The photo was found in the roof. Their ancestry used to hide messages in woods. Because the message was in the roof, their descendants usually missed it.

Q: Do you know number four is utilized a lots in Guo’s home?

A: Chinese consider four is an unlucky number. On the contrast, Japanese think it is fortunate. We discovered the building was built in 1929 April 4, full with number four!