Department of Cultural Affairs

Hours of operation
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. Closed Mondays.
Contact informationTelephone: (02) 2880-5809
Web sitehttp://www2.scu.edu.tw/chienmu
Address#72, LinXi Road, Taipei City
Transportation
(1) If arriving by car or tour bus, please provide advanced notification, so that we can arrange parking. (2) To use public transportation, take the TRTS Tamsui line, and disembark at the Shilin Station, exit in the direction of ZhongZheng Road, and transfer to any of the following bus lines: 304, Red 30, 255, 620, S 18 or S 19. Get off the bus at the Soochow University bus stop. From the main gate of Soochow University, walk straight to the end of the lane.
Architectural style
In 1967, the influential scholar of Chinese studies Mr. Chien Mu came to Taiwan and made his home in the Taipei suburb of Waishuangxi. For 23 years, he lived in this house near Soochow University. Known as Su Shu Lou (“the house of simple learning"), it was personally designed by the scholar's mother Ms. Chien Hu Mei-chi. Every brick and blade of grass on the estate is the result of many years of caring effort by its owner. Its rows of maple trees forming a corridor, and its gently swaying trimmed bamboo, offer a serene, simple and old-fashioned prospect.
History
In 1989, Mr. Chien Mu passed away. In order to commemorate his scholarly contributions, the Taipei City Government established the Chien Mu Memorial Library at his original residence. In 2000 with the establishment of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Taipei City Government renovated the original site, to honor Mr. Chien Mu's life of moral character and scholarly achievements, being careful to preserve the house's original aura of cultural cultivation. It was one of two residences of distinguished figures, along with the Lin Yutang House, to be first opened to the public as a cultural institution in Taiwan. In 2002, Taipei City commissioned Soochow University to manage the estate, and on March 29, 2002, it was officially reopened as the Chien Mu House.
Brief introduction
The living room of Su Shu Lou, located on the first floor, was where Chien Mu taught. Although small, it still preserves the feeling of being the geographical center of Chien's intellectual universe. Inside the living room can be found a statue of the Confucian scholar Zhu Xi, as well as calligraphic scrolls penned by Zhu Xi, with such apt adages as “Aspire to greatness," “Learn from the writings of the sages" and “Still the spirit, cultivate character." Mr. Chien Mu's admiration for Zhu Xi is clearly evident. On the second floor, Chien Mu's library can be found on the right. In it a three-sided bay window looks out on a lush scene of verdant conifers and bamboo. The scholar's book collection is considerable. The inner walls of his library are covered from floor to ceiling with bookshelves -- the most striking feature of the room. On the right side of the second-story corridor is a row of French windows, through which the exterior scenery fills one's vision. Here, you can sit in relaxation, gazing far into the distance. At the end of the corridor is the simple, unassuming bedroom V containing nothing but a simple chest with five drawers and a bed. Throughout his life, Mr. Chien Mu devoted himself to furthering the cause of traditional culture, constantly writing and lecturing, and making original contributions in the fields of literature, history and philosophy. A true leading light of contemporary learning, he stands as a scholar of resolute determination, whose influence will not diminish in the flood of history. The Chien Mu House not only recreates the living environment of the most exemplary philosopher of his generation, but also serves as a cultural landmark of profound artistic cultivation..