Jishan Gatehouse

Date CapturedApril 12th, 2016 at 06:52 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 9Shutter Speed1/320 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO200Exposure Value14.7 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Jīshàn Gatehouse (積善樓), sometimes written as Chishan or Chijhan, is a minor historic building not far from Taiyuan Station (太原車站) in Beitun, Taichung. Originally this site was occupied by the residences of the Lài (賴) family, immigrants from Zhangzhou in China, who made their home here in 1897. Decades later they funded the construction of this unusual gatehouse on the recommendation of a fengshui master; the name of the building literally translates to “accumulate goodness”. The design and some of the materials are Chinese but the structure also shows Western influences and craftsmanship as filtered through Japan. Five banyan trees surrounding the gate are the only other legacy of the homes that once existed here. Nowadays the area is a city park.

Date CapturedApril 12th, 2016 at 06:55 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 5.6Shutter Speed1/125 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO200Exposure Value11.9 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedApril 12th, 2016 at 06:55 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 7.1Shutter Speed1/200 secFocal Length26.0 mmISO200Exposure Value13.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedApril 12th, 2016 at 06:53 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 8Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length24.0 mmISO200Exposure Value14.0 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

It might not look like much but this sturdy little building has survived war, flooding, earthquakes, and urban renewal initiatives over nearly a century of history. For more information about the gatehouse in Chinese consult these sources here, here, and here.