Pising Bookstore

The name 'Pising' of Pising Bookstore means 'face' in Amis, pronounced as 'Bi-xin'. It also signifies 'hearts encountering each other,' a bookstore where everyone gathers. We often say 'papising,' meaning to frequently meet and greet each other. Pising Bookstore's predecessor was Pasela’an Bookstore, which opened in 2021. Its original location was next to Guangfu Railway Station, a century-old wooden house from the Taisho period, accompanied by an old Ryukyu pine tree and a breadfruit tree. The hope was for the bookstore to be a place for people to rest and stay. In May 2024, the lease ended, and it relocated to the Hualien County Cultural Affairs Bureau's 'Central Arts and Culture Base' (No. 127-1, Section 1, Zhongzheng Road, Guangfu Township, Hualien County), which was formerly the old Guangfu Fire Station. In 2024, Pising Bookstore underwent a renaming and relocation. It is now situated between the Matai'an and nearby Tabalong Tribes, two major ancient Amis tribes. Its location is near Guangfu's main street, the First Wild Vegetable Market, and Hualien Sugar Factory. Inheriting rich local cultural resources, it aims to become a mobile service station, a local gathering place, and an indigenous studies reading room, transforming into a local reading house for central Hualien. The bookstore's selection focuses on books related to indigenous culture or Taiwanese stories. It also introduces local history and culture or unique characteristics of Hualien and Taitung. It hopes that through books, visitors can learn about the stories of the land beneath their feet, promote the use of native languages, and ensure that the languages of Taiwan's diverse ethnic groups are an everyday part of life. Pising Bookstore was co-founded by manager Awa Liu Yu-Xian and Mori Gawait, head of Liso^so' Studio (You Shuo Shuo Studio). The store also has a black dog manager (Ms. Kuma) and a yellow dog deputy manager (Ms. Ruanong) who carefully manage the bookstore. Many young people who have moved to or returned to the area have also joined, using their professional skills in planning, photography, painting, design, and documentation to collectively organize local cultural events. The scope of activities includes picture book production, publication, guided tours, field survey workshops, traditional territory mapping, indigenous language translation courses, folk song singing practice, literary lectures, parent-child reading co-learning, and craft weaving and dyeing workshops, among others. In 2024, Liso^so' Studio (You Shuo Shuo Studio) received the 'Best Indigenous Language Promotion Group Award' from the Council of Indigenous Peoples. It was also invited to participate in the Austronesian Language Revitalization Forum to present its achievements in Amis language learning and promotion, from drawing indigenous language picture books to establishing Pising Bookstore. Pising Bookstore will inherit the spirit of Pasela’an Bookstore, using the 'bookstore' as a vehicle to cultivate deep-rooted local enrichment. 'Reading' is like a fire returning to the world; whether a spark or a flame, burning fiercely or completely, it contains infinite knowledge and wisdom in our lives. With the healing companionship of books/reading, strength gradually grows from within; a small spark can also bring light and warmth. We hope the bookstore is a place that provides powerful companionship and shines brightly. Codad means 'book'. Codah means 'courage'. Cora means 'light/radiance'. 'Books are a gathering place for courage' – Pising Bookstore!