Category: Japonic
Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a key colonial possession of the Japanese empire. Decades of Japanization policy greatly shaped Taiwanese life in this period. Japan’s influence, though largely overshadowed by the impact of Sinitic and Austronesian cultures since the end of the Second World War, continues to be an integral part of understanding the Taiwanese experience and Taiwan’s folk heritage.
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The Truku War: Taiwan’s Forgotten Battles of 1914
Discover the Truku War of 1914, Taiwan’s largest 20th-century battle where 30,000 Japanese forces fought 3,000 indigenous Truku warriors.
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The Island’s Many Names
Taiwan has had many names over the centuries. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Here’s a rundown of these names and their origins!
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A Timeline of Taiwanese History
Taiwan has a long and colourful history. From Austronesian cultural explosions to modern tech booms, it has never ceased to amaze.
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Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
We organize Taiwanese folklore into nine broad and overlapping categories. Four based on ethnic origin, and five on folkloric genre!
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The Taiwan Dollar: The Story of How It Came to Be
The Taiwan dollar is Taiwan’s legal tender. This is the story of the modern Taiwanese currency and its predecessor the Taiwanese yen!
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Moon Rabbit and Rice Cake
The moon rabbit is a folkloric character linked to Chinese Moon Festivals. In Taiwan, Korea and Japan, it’s also associated with rice cakes!
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What Happened to Taipei’s Grand Shinto Shrine?
The Taiwan Jingū (Grand Shrine of Taiwan) was chief among Taiwan’s 66 official Shinto shrines. What happened to it? Find out here!
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The Formosan Tiger: Taiwan’s Big-Cat Folklore and History
The Formosan Tiger features prominently in Taiwanese culture. Here are four examples!
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Stories Behind Taiwan’s Place-Names
A tongue-in-cheek guide to the bizarre and multifaceted history of Taiwanese toponyms.