Permanent Exhibition of the Historical Building Shoyoen (逍遙園)

Shoyoen (逍遙園) was built in Showa 14 (1939) as the villa of Otani Kozui, the 22nd Abbot of the Nishi Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, during his time in Taiwan. Shoyoen features the architectural aesthetics of the Japanese colonial period, with a complex space that combines Japanese and Western architectural styles and elements. Beyond its significance in architectural history and its potential for reuse, it witnesses the era's cultural meaning and is rich in historical value.
Otani Kozui was a famous Japanese religious leader and explorer, and the brother-in-law of Emperor Taisho (the Empress was the younger sister of Otani's wife). Between 1940 and 1945, he served as a cabinet councilor for the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan, participating in major national economic decisions.
The Shoyoen villa in Kaohsiung was completed in Showa 15 (1940). Its purposes were: 1. To serve as a training base for Otani Kozui's agricultural development and disciple education in Taiwan. 2. To serve as a short-term residence and summer writing villa during his official government duties in Taiwan. 3. To serve as a branch post for the Nishi Hongwanji influence in Southern Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. 4. Choosing Kaohsiung City as an important gateway for Taiwan's entry into the Southeast Asian region.
1. Exterior Features: The building volume reflects its residential function, attached to the southwest corner of the core structure. The roof has varied forms, and its spatial composition logic strictly follows Japanese wooden construction rules. The flow into this living space is connected by an exposed RC staircase, distinct from the public space on the other side. Small spaces between building volumes are filled with terraces, appearing on the east side and surrounding most of the core volume, allowing connection via the terraces. The terraces are entirely made of wood with exquisite craftsmanship. The roof is covered with refined black tiles from the Hexing Kiln.
2. Interior Features: 1. It possesses the characteristic of "no planar centrality" found in traditional Japanese residences, meaning no central courtyard. 2. It has the features of the "middle corridor type" from the Showa era, divided into three main areas: social/guest space, service space, and daily living space. The daily living space is linked to the exterior by a side corridor. 3. Since the owner studied abroad and held Japanese aristocratic status, the furnishings in the social and daily living spaces exhibit a fusion of Japanese and Western styles.