Xigang Baotian Gong Temple Festival
Xigang Chingan Temple Jishan Bajiajiang — 西港玉敕慶安宮駕前吉善堂八家將, Baotian Gong, Temple Renewal, Xigang District, Tainan, Taiwan
On September 19th (this year’s moon festival) Xigang’s newly built Baotian Gong was opened. I spent the day photographing the festivities… Read more at the Taiwan Photographer (more…)
Bombing Handan 炸寒單
Bombing Handan (炸寒單) is an important folk event held annually in Taidung during Taiwan’s Yuanxiao festival (元宵節) Read more about Bombing Handan…
Bombing Handan Festival, Taidung, Taiwan
Cingshui Cliffs Beach 清水斷崖
Cingshui Cliffs and Pacific ocean along the Su Ao – Hualien Highway, Taiwan
There were two typhoons out in the Pacific read more about Cingshui Cliffs 清水斷崖 wave…
Fireworks — Kaohsiung’s Wannian Folklore Festival
Fireworks show at Wannian Folklore Festival, Zuoying, Lotus Lake, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Originating from local religious temples’ celebrations, Kaohsiung’s Wannian Folklore Festival is…
Family Trip to Canada
My family and I recently returned to Taiwan (more…)
Taiwanese Aboriginal Tribes
Seediq Aboriginal tribe costume, Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park, Sandimen, Pingtung County, Taiwan
The following photographs of all fourteen Taiwan Aboriginal tribes were taken at the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park in (more…)
Mariah 陳世旻 (瑪利亞) of Chio-tian Drum Art Troupe (九天民俗技藝團)
I have been travelling in Canada with my family for a couple of months and was pleased to find out my photo was used for the cover of Topics Travel and Culture issue. The article, ‘Drumming Their Way to Respect‘, is about Chio-tian Folk Drums & Art Troupe (九天民俗技藝團) — the troupe the Taiwanese movie ‘Dintao: Leader of the Parade‘ was based on.
Mariah 陳世旻 (瑪利亞) of Chio-tian Drum Art Troupe (九天民俗技藝團) poses for a photo
See full post here: The Taiwan Photographer
39 Hours or Tainan Film Contestival, Tainan City, Taiwan
Taiwanese Dancer Photo Shoot
Taiwanese Dancer leaps in the air for a portrait
Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing world-class Taiwanese dancer, teacher and choreographer Billy Chang (張逸軍). We had…
Taiwan for Culture Vultures Kindle Guide
Get the Taiwan Travel guide from Gecko authored by the prolific and highly respected Taiwan writer, Steven Crook, here:
Taiwan for Culture Vultures Kindle Guide
The cover photo of Zhenzong Art Troupe’s Santaitz and many of the interior photos were taken by me. See more of my covers here.
Cover Photograph by Photographer Rich Matheson
The Amazon Product Description
Taiwan for Culture Vultures
== Taiwan’s Historical, Religious, Artistic And Architectural Highlights ==
– Why Get This Guide? –
* In-depth descriptions of each sight that include fresh details not mentioned in other English-language write-ups
* Coverage of several new attractions not covered by print guidebooks
* Clear instructions how to reach each sight by car or public transportation
* Chinese script for every sight mentioned in the guide
* Convenient links take you to background information
– Inside This Guide –
* 95 sights including: Taiwan’s best museums; its most ancient and ornate temples; its newest attractions; its quaintest villages; and its most striking landmarks.
* Over 150 photos, including 84 images contributed by Taiwan-based professional photographers Rich Matheson and Craig Ferguson.
* Comprehensive articles on practical subjects such as getting to and getting around Taiwan.
* Background articles on Taiwan’s history, religions, and culture
* A glossary of historical and local terms
– Stylish and Feature-Packed –
* Detailed information on opening hours, prices, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses
* Honest reviews and independent advice
* Inspiring gallery with stunning photos
* Stylish and easy to use
– About the Author –
Steven Crook has visited more than 40 countries, and continues to find Taiwan endlessly fascinating after 20 years living and working on the island. Since 1996, he has had scores of travel and culture features published in Christian Science Monitor, CNN Traveller Asia-Pacific and other newspapers and magazines.
Wind Turbines, Changhua
Offshore wind-powered electrical generators produce environmentally friendly energy.
I was driving home to Tainan on Expressway 61 and saw these large wind-powered generators…
Taiwan Nature Project
Sunrise on Hike to Yushan South Peak
Taiwan’s stunning geographic features and spectacular biodiversity is often overlooked…
Published on-line Articles
Links to articles and photographs published in on-line magazine; culture.tw, by editorial and cultural photographer Rich J Matheson.
The highlight of writing this Door Gods article was when I serendipitously stopped at the Chendejyu Shrine (陳聚德堂; in 1693 it was the first ancestral shrine in Taiwan - built in 1664) and the caretaker ushered me inside and into a back room. There, forgotten and leaning against a wall in a dark back room of the temple were these two antique doors. I think they were painted by renowned temple painter Cai Cao Ru (蔡草如), but I need to go back and verify. The article outlines who all the different door gods are, their function and their origins.
Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage 大甲媽祖繞境 — Xingang’s Fengtian Temple (奉天宮)
Xingang's Fengtian Temple (奉天宮)
read more of Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage 大甲媽祖繞境 — Xingang’s Fengtian Temple (奉天宮)
Taiwan God — Ji Gong (濟公), The Drunk Monk
Ji Gong is also one of the better known and understood gods by the general Taiwan populace and is worshiped by a broad range of people; from gamblers and rebels to monastic Buddhists.
Belying his popularity amongst Taiwanese, Ji Gong ranks only as a minor deity in the Chinese god pantheon. Ji Gong(1130-1209), was born a mortal, Li Xiu Yuan (李修緣(or 元)…Click here to read the rest of the Ji Gong Post
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival in Action Asia
Full story here: The Taiwan Photographer
Click on Picture to go to story at The Taiwan Photographer
Full story at The Taiwan Photographer
Creative Song-Jiang Jhen Battle Array in Neimen — 2012高雄內門宋江陣
Zhong Hua Medical College Student with face painted after competing in Creative Song-Jiang Jhen Contest, College Cup in Neimen, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
The 2012 Creative Song-Jiang Jhen Battle Array Cup
March 3,4 and 10 at the Zi Zhu Si (Black Bamboo Monastery) in Neimen, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2012高雄內門宋江陣在紫竹寺
The Taiwan Photographer
Greetings! You have arrived at the old personal blog of photographer Rich J Matheson. I am no longer posting here. If you are looking for my professional site, please go to The Taiwan Photographer.
General Gan is at rest, so is this blog. Please go to my new blog: The Taiwan Photographer
There is a large archive of information about Taiwan here so I am leaving this site public and searchable and will continue to respond to any questions about posts.
Taiwan Photography Exhibit
Taiwan Photography Exhibition: Seven Photographers Five Countries One City
From now until the 26th of February, myself and six other photographers are exhibiting some of our photographs at the old Tainan Meeting Hall. The Gallery is newly opened (we are the inaugural event) and is a great space for an exhibit with all the low arching pillars to hang photographs from with the famous Wu Gardens right out the door.
The show is officially open from 10am to 5pm, but most evenings someone will be keeping the show running later.
Address:
For more information, check the Facebook page here.
Dancer
Dancer in front of Beiji Temple, Guiren District, Tainan City, Taiwan
Click on photo to go to my new blog for a post about some trials and tribulations of photographing these dancers for a Taiwan Review photo essay.
Liefintaiwan 