From 'The Story of Taiwan Tea' to 'Empire of the Sun' (Steven Spielberg)




I first met Yoshitaka Watanabe 渡邉義孝 (a master architect who has visited Taiwan many times and published books on heritage buildings and preservations) in Port Moji 門司港 Kyushu in March. 

Last week on knowing he is in Taiwan again for a book project - I contacted him and asked to arrange so I can give him the tea book I co-authored. 

We met and in return he gave me a box of famous lemon cake from Setoda Hiroshima. These cakes  are really yummy - see HERE.


Chapter 9 "So what happened after Keelung became the Port of Import-Export of Taiwan?

Seto refers to Seto Inland Sea 瀬戸内海 which rings the bell concerning "The Story of Taiwan Tea". 

I checked and was reminded that - 
"The first two-way shipping lane between Japan and Taiwan originated from Kobe,
then ships would travel through Seto Inland Sea 瀬戸内海 and arrive in Port Moji 門司港.


I messaged Watanabe Sensei that how interesting connections between my tea book and his lemon cake!
Found in ONE sentence! 

He clearly read on to the next page because a short while later he messaged back this - 




 
I messaged Dr H M Cheng 鄭宏銘 (co-author) about this and as often the case - he returned with important and relevant information which make differences. 
And often the kind of information and history that average Taiwanese have little or no idea of.

"The Hikawa Maru carried Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution to Canada and the USA during the Second World War. Jewish refugees who mostly stranded in Shanghai - including Steven Spielberg family."

Full details HERE

Dr Cheng also referred me to this youtube 




🍌Port of Moji - Birthplace of  Banana Selling🍌

A key entry point for Taiwan bananas (from 1903) - 
Taiwan is known as the "Banana Kingdom" and exports a significant amount of bananas, with Japan being a major importer, particularly in the Kyushu region, where the Port of Moji was a key entry point for Taiwanese bananas.

Moji Port Banana Auction/Hawking
A traditional art of selling bananas HERE.

Banana バナナ photos I took in Moji Port area



Birthplace of banana selling





Made with bananas from the Philippines





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