Tsai An-Jie (蔡安捷), a student in the Department of Marine Engineering at National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU), recently took home the first prize in the "2023 National Micro-Film Marketing Competition" with a microfilm focusing on the Ba Jia Jiang, also known as the “Eight Generals” culture. Tsai stated that Ba Jia Jiang is a representation of Taiwan's own traditional culture rather than being a euphemism for bad boys in this regard.
To promote Taiwanese culture and share it with the world, NTOU student produced microfilm to document the Eight Generals culture.Photo provided by NTOU
Tsai An-Jie has always had a passion for Taiwan's ancient culture of temple fairs. Later, he met "Keelung Zhenyan Temple Ba Jia Jiang" (基隆振嚴堂八家將) through the father of a friend from high school. Since then, Ba Jia Jiang's elaborate makeup, embroidered costumes, helmets, ceremonial weapons, and exquisite footwork have had a strong attraction for him. As a result, he has long helped to document and publicize associated temple fair events in the hopes that more people may become aware of this folk art and the culture of Ba Jia Jiang.
Tsai later edited Ba Jia Jiang's documentary film into a three-minute microfilm with the support of NTOU Professor Lin Cherng-Yuan (林成原) and the aid of teammate Chen Hung-Hsiang (陳宏祥), winning the first place prize in the 2023 National Micro-Film Marketing Competition.
Tsai An-Jie (蔡安捷), a student in the Department of Marine Engineering at National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU), recently took home the first prize in the "2023 National Micro-Film Marketing Competition" with a microfilm focusing on the Ba Jia Jiang.Photo provided by NTOU
Tsai An-Jie hopes that by filming and promoting the video, more people will comprehend Ba Jia Jiang culture and more young people will be eager to learn about and take part in parade formation, allowing foreign visitors to Taiwan to not only taste Taiwanese cuisine but also appreciate the customs of the country.
