Jiang Shan Lou 江山楼

Description:

Jiang Shan Lou — half a century ago, during the Japanese colonial period, the most famous restaurant in Dadaocheng, established in 1917. At that time in Dadaocheng, trading companies and guilds stood in abundance, and many political and business elites, wealthy merchants, and literati mingled there. With the flourishing of commercial activity, restaurant geisha houses emerged, where art was sold but not the body; geisha with outstanding musical and artistic talents appeared. In Taiwan's history, though they were but a fleeting blossom, it was the most beautiful page. A saying circulated at the time: 'Climb Jiang Shan Lou, eat Taiwanese cuisine, listen to geisha sing' — clearly showing that visiting Jiang Shan Lou and listening to geisha sing was the most fashionable activity for Taiwanese people then. The film Jiang Shan Lou is set against the backdrop of Dadaocheng in 1935, narrating the poignant love stories of the geisha who moved through Jiang Shan Lou, and the romantic entanglements of men and women in a time of great change. Besides the special training and sensual allure of the geisha, the film recreates the fine cuisine of Jiang Shan Lou — a sensory spectacle full of Taiwanese splendor, beautiful in both food and sensuality.