|
Title |
The "Author" of Minzoku Taiwan? : Toshio Ikeda's Editorial Style and Folkloric Writing |
|
Author |
Chiu, Ya-Fang |
|
Professor, Department of Taiwan Languages and Communication, National United University |
|
|
Abstract |
Prior to the publication of Minzoku Taiwan, Toshio Ikeda entered the realm of magazine editing and began engaging in folkloric writing due to his acquaintance with Mitsuru Nishikawa. Following the launch of Minzoku Taiwan, Ikeda emerged as the most prolific editor among his peers, particularly recognized for his comprehensive documentation of various folk customs in the Manka (Wanhua) region. Based on his contributions to this magazine, Ikeda's distinctive characteristics, particularly in comparison to other editors, become evident. Beyond his meticulous documentary writing style, Ikeda's content notably focuses on customs related to families, women, and the spectral. Another notable feature of his work is his extensive use of pseudonyms, many of which were female names. This perspective allowed him to delve into the "inner side" (naimen) of Taiwanese family folk customs, moving beyond a mere observation of their "external surface" (hyōmen) and revealing aspects that are obscured or unknown. Despite his significant contributions to Minzoku Taiwan, Ikeda's work has long been underappreciated, overshadowed by a figure deemed more representative of the magazine's legacy—Takeo Kanaseki. Given Toshio Ikeda's notable contributions to Minzoku Taiwan, this paper seeks to provide a framework for reassessing his editorial contributions. By juxtaposing the distinct editorial styles and works of Toshio Ikeda and Takeo Kanaseki, this study aims to re-examine Ikeda's role as an editor and explore how his folkloric writing reveals his self-identity and cultural positioning. |
