It is no news to readers of this newspaper that China’s Qing Dynasty lost the first Sino-Japanese War, signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki and ceded Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores to Japan in perpetuity and with full sovereignty. What readers might not know is how the new immigrants from Japan assimilated themselves into this tropical island or where they lived and did their shopping.
Japanese rule commenced in 1895 and Japanese people started moving to Taiwan. As the Monga (Wanhua) and Twatutia (Dadaocheng) areas of Taipei were already vibrant with trade and economic activities and were inhibited by Taiwanese, the Japanese government decided to establish a Japanese community on a heath just outside the West Gate of the Taipei city walls. Japanese markets selling Japanese food and goods began opening up to meet the needs of the new immigrants.
As Taiwan was Japan’s first overseas colony and would become its model colony and showcase to the world, Japan embarked on many infrastructure projects to facilitate Taiwan’s transformation. One of these projects was the new West Gate Market designed by Japanese architect Juro Kondo. Kondo employed a unique octagonal design for the entrance and a cruciform design for the main structure. This combination was an unprecedented architectural innovation.
Photo: Ethan Zhan, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報詹豐造
The new market was inaugurated on Dec. 20, 1908, with the octagonal building functioning as a dry market, where confectionery, toys, office supplies, cosmetics, shoes and umbrellas could be found, while the cruciform building was a wet market, selling fresh meat and produce. However, to maintain cleanliness, no animal slaughter was permitted inside the market.
Today, the West Gate Market is called the West Gate Red House. Tea and souvenirs are on sale inside. Its south square houses outdoor gay cafes, making it Taiwan’s premier gathering place for gay people.
Ethan Zhan, Taipei Times
本報讀者對以下內容絕不陌生：中日甲午戰爭清廷戰敗，簽署馬關條約，將台灣及澎湖諸島永久割讓給日本。然而，大家可能不見得熟悉的是，來自日本的新移民如何融入這個熱帶島嶼？他們都住哪？去哪裡買東西？
日治時期於西元一八九五年開始，日本人開始遷入台灣。此時，台北的艋舺及大稻埕已是活絡的經貿重鎮，台灣人居住於此，因此日本政府決定在台北城西門外一個荒煙之地安置日本移民。專售日本食品及日常用品的日式市場也為了滿足新移民的需求相應而生。
由於台灣是日本第一個海外殖民地，同時也是日本未來展示給世人看的模範殖民地，日本開始著手一系列的基礎建設，要為台灣改頭換面。其中一個建設，就是日本建築師近藤十郎所設計的新西門市場。近藤以獨特的八角造型設計市場入口，加以十字造型設計市場本體。八角與十字的結合是建築史上從未有過的一大創新。
新市場於西元一九零八年十二月二十日落成。其中，八角樓賣的是乾貨，舉凡菓子、玩具、文具、化妝品、鞋子及雨傘，皆可在裡面找到。十字樓則專售魚肉生鮮等溼貨。但為了維護市場清潔，內部不可宰殺魚肉。
如今，西門市場稱為西門紅樓，裡面賣茶，也賣紀念品，南廣場內露天同志咖啡廳林立，是台灣首屈一指的同志聚集地。
台北時報詹豐造翻譯
In 2023, an 80-year-old woman in Taipei suffocated her paralyzed son after over five decades of caring for him. Turning herself in immediately, she confessed that worsening health and anxiety about who would care for him after her death had driven her to act. The court, acknowledging her difficult situation, sentenced her to two-and-a-half years in prison while recommending a presidential pardon. This rare judicial recommendation drew a complicated social response. Supporters argue that the mother’s half-century of caregiving renders her deserving of compassion instead of incarceration, believing that allowing her to live her final years in dignity and
A: Over 130,000 college graduates are about to enter the workforce upon graduation. B: According to a survey, the top 10 most desired careers among Taiwanese are: independent content creator, civil servant, information engineer, financial professional, medical worker, content planner, flight attendant, news anchor, designer and fitness trainer. A: What are the “dream jobs” for young Gen Zers? B: The top three for men are YouTuber, pro gamer and engineer. For women, they are writer, social media editor and YouTuber. A: Every profession has its champion. Just look at Taiwanese fire dancer Yang Li-wei — who was on fire
★ Bilingual Story is a fictionalized account. 雙語故事部分內容純屬虛構。 The mango looked perfect. It sat on the fruit stand like a small sunset, red on one side and gold on the other. “I’ll take this one,” said Daniel. The fruit seller shook her head. “Not that one.” Daniel was surprised. “Why not? It looks beautiful.” “Yes,” she said, “but beautiful is not always ready.” She picked up another mango and held it near his nose. “First, smell here.” Daniel smelled the top of the mango. It was sweet and warm. “Good mangoes have a smell,” she said. “Next, feel the weight.”
A: While AI is reshaping the world, “Money Talks News” revealed seven career fields that are “AI-proof.” First is the healthcare field, like nursing jobs, personal care aides, and social work specialists. B: This type of job is indeed in high demand. So what’s next? A: Up next are skill-based positions, like electricians, mechanics, and construction workers. Then there’s the field of education, like teachers, tutors, and education specialists. Fourth is the mental health field, like jobs in counseling, therapy, and social work. B: I didn’t expect teaching to be safe from AI. What else is
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