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Century-old Chiayi townhouse × an aesthetic philosophy that transcends time and form Turn from Chenggong Street into Xirong Street and you’ll find a symmetrical pair of black-tiled wooden townhouses standing quietly in the narrow lane, plain yet elegant. When the owners first planned to restore the two Japanese-era wooden houses a few years ago, the challenges were many. With guidance from the Ministry of Culture’s “Old House Revival” program, they aimed to “repair the old as old,” preserving as much as possible the appearance of a century-old Taiwanese residence. The proprietors, Xiao-Zhang and Xiao-Fang, both graduated from fine-arts departments and have a keen sensitivity to beauty. For more than twenty years they have dealt in antique utensils, and as experience and wisdom have grown, the couple have settled on a life philosophy: “Never fixate on an object’s era or price; focus only on the presence of beauty.” Rather than agonizing over marketability, they first ask whether they truly love the piece. Age is not the criterion; if the color, texture, or form matches their sense of beauty, it is welcomed into their treasure trove. Beautiful old objects, through the differing hands of successive owners, take on unique faces and lusters. This beauty born of time—impossible to rush or counterfeit—is the very pleasure of “appreciation.” As Japanese mingei master Yanagi Sōetsu said, “Feel with your hands; your hands will know.” Open days are announced monthly on Facebook; feel free to come and select pieces. At other times, to avoid tourist disruption, please make an appointment in advance. Photo source: Chiayi City Government Tourism and News Department | Photography: Marguerite