Pei-Kuei Hall – The Former Residence of Lin Kaitai Clinic

Dr. Lin Kaitai (1895–1942) was a renowned poet and calligrapher in Taiwan's literary scene during the Japanese colonial period. After graduating from the Taiwan Governor-General's Medical School in Taishō 5 (1916), he returned to his hometown to practice medicine. He did not charge impoverished patients, earning him the nicknames "Poet Physician" or "Saint" from the locals. Dr. Kaitai's father, Lin Weizhao (1868–1934), a xiucai (scholar) of the late Qing Dynasty, was famous in Southern Taiwan for his poetry, writing, and calligraphy. During the Japanese colonial period, he taught at home and organized poetry societies, thereby preserving the legacy of Han culture. He rallied the villagers to repair Fengtian Temple and Daxing Temple, which had been destroyed by an earthquake, becoming the most respected leader in Xingang. In Shōwa 8 (1933) of the Japanese colonial period, Dr. Kaitai's family moved into this residence. The front part of the house served as a clinic, while the back was the family's living space. The main building integrated Hokkien, Japanese, and Western architectural styles. All parts of the residence were unadorned, featuring natural wood, white walls, red bricks, and red tiles, presenting a simple and elegant appearance. The Lin family had a rich scholarly tradition that passed through generations. Among Mr. Kaitai's children, daughters-in-law, and sons-in-law, a total of 43 family members, 15 earned doctorates and 24 earned master's degrees. Thus, the locals affectionately nicknamed the Lin residence "the Scholars' Nest," and some of its members are well-known public figures. His eldest son, Lin Jinsheng, was the first democratically elected magistrate of Chiayi County, and successively served as Yunlin County Magistrate, Minister of Interior, Minister of Transportation and Communications, and Senior Advisor to the Presidential Office. His second son, Lin Xinzhe, served as the director of the Taiwan Provincial Tuberculosis Control Institute and as the head of the WHO Western Pacific International Anti-Tuberculosis Advisory Team. Other children also held important positions in Taiwan and the United States, while his eldest grandson, Lin Hwaimin, founded the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and is an internationally revered choreographer. In 2016, recognizing the profound historical, architectural, medical, political, and cultural value of this residence, the Chiayi County Government designated it as a historical monument. Upholding the family motto of "public-mindedness over self-interest," the Lin family donated the residence. After two years of renovation, it was opened to the public in early 2023, providing a venue for cultural experiences for all.