Taiwan women dress during the colonial era (1898 - 1945): social and cultural aspects

Thesis abstract The aim of the paper is to describe the transformation of female clothing in Taiwan during Japanese colonial rule and to evaluate how these changes corresponded to social and cultural changes over the same period. The author first describes traditional female dress during the Qing dynasty's rule in Taiwan with a focus on depicting differences in individual communities within the Han ethnic group (Fujianese, Hakka etc.). Differences within specific social groups are also examined. The author then analyzes and describes the metamorphosis of female dress that occurred under the female dress that occurred under the influence of modernization and Japanese cultural assimilation during the first half of the 20th century. The main sources for the thesis are period social magazine articles, including illustrations and advertisements. Key words Japanese colonial rule; traditional Chinese clothing; kimono; qipao; Han Chinese; Western style clothing; kōminka