This document discusses the influences of Taiwanese dance culture from its history of colonization by other nations like Japan and China. It describes how Japanese traditions like the benshi narrator became integrated into Taiwanese theater. Chinese influences on dances like the lion dance are also examined, noting differences in Taiwan's version. Additionally, the document outlines the modern dance group Ten Drum, formed to preserve Taiwanese cultural dances, and concludes that Taiwanese dance exists as a hybrid reflecting its political status and incorporation of various cultural influences over time.

1. TAIWANESE DANCE AND
INFLUENCES OF POLITICAL STATUS
Whitney Ko
DANCE 255
Dance in World Cultures
Professor Kara Miller

2. Taiwanese history
 The many imperialist interests of numerous nations affected
Taiwan. It was sequentially dominated by Holland, Spain,
Japan and China, before Japan’s fifty years of rule.
 During these times of colonization by other nations, Taiwan
has adopted cultures that helped Taiwan in its long quest
towards Taiwan’s own identity.
 Most people believe that citizens of Taiwan are of Chinese
descent. However, research has found that the blood DNA
profiles of most Taiwanese are different from those of Chinese.

3. Japanese Influence
 The benshi narrator is a Japanese tradition. In Japan, it was
necessary that all paintings, dances, and music come
accompanied with text.
 This system of performances soon became a keystone of
Taiwanese theater. The benshi was one of the strongest
influences on early film practices in Taiwan.
 Most benshi masters were considered poets for writing scripts
for performances. Watching the same dance performance with
a different benshi master is always a new experience.

4. Japanese Influence
 Having a benshi master for each performance was an
attributed Taiwanese art embraced for a very long time, even
after Japan stopped using benshi masters.

5. Chinese Influence
 The lion dance is a form of traditional dance from the Chinese
culture that has been adopted in Asian countries all over the
world.
 There are many different regional types of the Chinese lion
dance in China, alone. Taiwan has adopted this dance and
made significantly different changes.

6. Chinese Influence
 The design of the Taiwanese lion is also relatively different to
the original lion from mainland China.
 Green-faced
 Beard is black and short
 Green lion became symbol of
independence for people of
Taiwan

7. Ten Drum
 This group was formed fairly recently in hopes of preserving
Taiwanese dance culture and the history of Taiwan’s sugar
industry
 The group has become quiet famous in places all around the
world. They have performed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in
Sydney and at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea

8. Ten Drum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwfSnDhk4uo

9. Conclusion
 Japanese and Chinese rule has lead Taiwanese dance culture
to a hybrid form of different cultures.
 With the help of native Taiwanese people, these acquired
dances and systems have been altered to reflect Taiwan as its
own country and culture.
 Globalization through the political status of Taiwan has added
to the rich culture that this small island has to offer.

10. References
Crook, Steven. Taiwan Has a Unique Culture. 2013.
Deslandes, J. Dancing shadows of film exhibition: Taiwan and the
Japanese influence. 2000.
Rubinstein, Murray A. Taiwan: A New History. Armonk, NY: M.E.
Sharpe, 1999.
Yang, Terry. Personal interview. June 2014.
Yeh, Lung-Yen. The history of Taiwanese movies during the Japanese
colonization. Taipei: Mt. Jade Association, 1998.
Wang, Kefen (1985). The History of Chinese Dance. China Books &
Periodicals. p. 25-27.