Chen began his journey of craft at the age of 16, when his cousin introduced him to an apprenticeship at a calligraphy brush manufacturing factory. At the time, Chinese calligraphy was a compulsory subject in schools, resulting in an annual demand of three to four million brushes.
The Central Bookstore was established in 1927 by Chuang Chui-sheng. Chuang was a member of the Taiwanese Cultural Association, a cultural organization that gathers Taiwanese intellectuals. Supported by the local gentry families, the bookstore became an important meeting point for the association members in Taichung.