中華圏の伝統的文化は、社会主義化および文化大革命を経た中国本土よりも、むしろ台湾によく保存されているという側面がある一方、台湾においても日本統治時代・中華民国統治時代において、伝統文化がその姿を不断に変えてきた。「台湾の伝統芸能・民俗文化およびその対外発信に関する共同研究」（以下、「本研究」と略）は、そうした認識の元で、台湾の伝統芸能とその民間信仰的な背景、およびそれらを取り上げた映像作品を対象に、地域社会に根ざした台湾の伝統的文化のあり方が、近現代における政治・社会・経済等の影響のもといかに変容を遂げてきたか、また対外交流における外部の視点の導入によって如何にそれらが語られてきたのかについて、伝統芸能・民間信仰・映像の研究者が共同で分野横断的に研究を行ったものである。
本研究は、まず上半期において、皮影戯影偶・影頭など関連資料を収集するとともに、先行研究の整理を進め、相声が立脚する台北軍人コミュニティ、皮影戯が立脚する高雄の潮州移民コミュニティ、およびその信仰的背景に関する検討を行い、さらにそれらを取り上げた映像作品の分析を行った。
下半期においては、それらの成果を持ち寄って擦り合わせることで認識の共有を図り、不足している検討材料の収集・分析も進め、それらを元に、収集した皮影戯関連資料の展覧を兼ねた公開講演会「台湾ローカル文化と中華文化――映画・影絵人形劇・布袋戯（ボテヒ）、そして『Thunderbolt Fantasy』」を開催した。またその研究成果は、好文出版よりブックレットとして公刊した。
本研究によって、近現代における台湾文化とその変容について、新たな側面を明らかにすることができた。また研究情報の発信によって、塾生教育の充実および研究の社会還元にも貢献し得たと思う。
Traditional culture in the Sinosphere is, to a degree, better preserved in Taiwan in comparison to the Chinese mainland, due to the introduction of socialism and the Cultural Revolution, but even in Taiwan traditional culture changed continually during the period of Japanese colonialism and subsequent rule by the Chinese Nationalist Party.
With the above influences in mind, researchers in the fields of traditional arts, folk beliefs and the cinematic arts came together through this "Joint Research into Traditional Arts and Folk Culture in Taiwan and its Dissemination Overseas" (this research) with a focus on Taiwan's traditional arts, the background to these traditional arts as grounded in folk beliefs, and cinematic works that focus on these areas, in order to engage jointly in interdisciplinary research investigating how traditional culture grounded in Taiwan's regional communities has changed under the influence of political, social, economic and other changes occurring through Taiwan's modernization, and how this culture has been presented in the context of the introduction of overseas perspectives through interactions between Taiwan and overseas parties.
During the first half of the year, this research first focused on collecting research related to arts including shadow puppet plays (and the puppets created for such plays) while also working to organize prior research. The researchers also gathered and assessed information on the community of former military personnel in Taipei who foster the art of xiangsheng, the community of immigrants from Chaozhou now living in Kau-hsiung who carry on the tradition of shadow plays, and on the folk beliefs which provide a background to these respective arts. Finally, the researchers also analyzed cinematic works related to the above topics.
During the second half of the year, the researchers brought together and compared the results of this various research in order to develop a shared understanding before gathering and analyzing further research materials in areas where information remained lacking. The results of these activities were harnessed as a foundation for an exhibition of materials related to Taiwanese shadow puppet plays entitled "Local Culture in Taiwan and Chinese Culture: Films, Shadow Puppets and potehi (glove pockets)". This event also included a public performance. A second event, entitled "Thunderbolt Fantasy" (a public lecture on Sinophone puppet plays and cinema), was also held. Kohbun Press published the results of the research as a booklet.
The researchers were able, through this research, to elucidate new aspects of Taiwanese culture during the modernization of Taiwan and the changes the culture underwent during that period. The researchers also believe that publishing and publicizing the results of this research has contributed to the enrichment of the education provided to students of Keio University, while ensuring that the research results are given back to the community.