As a former Japanese colony (1895-1945), the Taiwanese population still retains many cultural, social, and linguistic ties to their former rulers.   Popular games, comics, and toys are among the more overt expressions of those connections.

The Core Pacific City, otherwise known as the Living Mall (京華城), is a monument to the high end, luxury-branded, one-stop shopping experience that seems to represent the best of western culture to the average Taiwanese citizen.  (The exterior of the mall can be seen in the background of the previous image)

The timeworn and the ultramodern combine to create the singular, organic entity that is contemporary Taipei City.

Members of an ’8 Generals’ (八家將 ) guardian troupe take a break as they wait to return home following a temple celebration.  Each of these troupes create their own unique facial designs.

Certain devotees of Taiwan’s unique hybrid of Buddhist and Taoist traditions often enter a trance-like state and practice various forms of self-mutilation. This can occur on any of the lunar calendar’s ubiquitous temple celebration days.

All images by Marc Chailfoux

Originally posted August 1, 2011