Modern Image-The Representations of “Taiwanese Flowers”

[[abstract]]“3-6-9 Tabloid” and “Fong-Yue” (literally translated as “windy moon” in English), the two popular publications printed in Chinese during the 1930s in Taiwan, were born to meet the need of amusement following the modernization in Taiwan. In these two periodicals, Female portraits emerged frequently in almost every issue. The portrayed female images were either Taiwanese geishas or the waitresses served in cafes. These portraits appeared to be the type of amusement, the preference of editors and the subject of particular column in the publication. The geishas and waitresses in these columns were catergorized as flowers of Taiwanese women. They were the forerunner who made themselves public through publication of postcards and newspapers, in which their fashionable appearance impressed every Taiwanese in those years. The two periodicals have contributed precious records of the figures, the activities, and daily lives of Taiwanese flowers during the Japanese rule. The articles in “3-6-9 Tabloid” and “Fong-Yue”’s flower columns came from the writing preference of its male writers. In this study, by looking into the self expressions of geishas and waitresses, I hope to find the tastes or stresses behind the female images which they were photographed personally. We can then comprehend the meaning of Taiwanese flowers images in the cultural context. Chapter One introduces the frame and motivation of this study, the current studies of its kind, and then points out the scope of this study and the method used. Chapter Two talks about “3-6-9 Tabloid” and “Fong-Yue”, in which flowers columns edited and the representative geishas and waitresses in 1930’s. Chapter Three enters the steps of iconography. It starts with a description of the images, identifying its gesture, style and composition before summing it up. So we can determine the style and context of Taiwanese flowers images. Chapter four interprets the meanings of female images in terms of style of portrait, costume and make-up, including the usage of image, the social taste exposed, as well as the effect of a print in the publication. Finally, it returns to these Taiwanese geishas and waitresses, understanding their experiences and changes in the environment.