Tiffanee Niitsu-Santo Interview

There are ongoing cross-cultural arts collaborations with Taiwan and other countries.

We have a world famous comic festival. This started by my efforts in Paris. At the Angouleme International Comics Festival²⁸we have Taiwan artists participating. We have resident artist villages and mutual countries making art installations. This enriches cooperation not just between institutions but between communities and universities.

The National Taiwan of the Arts University has had more than 60 collaborations with different institutions. Academically speaking we are doing very well. We have professors and students coming back to Taiwan to train our younger generations. Each year we send troupes of artists to different countries. Taiwan culture is so important. By continuous efforts, Taiwan can be better understood by the international community.

6. What was audience feedback like when you performed with the glove puppets in France?

Taiwanese teachers and French teachers knew we would introduce Taiwan and start speeches with a puppet show. In Paris they were pleased with the puppets. I went to southern France and they expected puppets. They always expected Lu will come with his puppets. This was

confirmation that audiences appreciate the puppets and created dialogues with the public. The people began to greet Overseas Chinese citizens with my puppets. And people had never seen such a situation. The Overseas Chinese highly appreciated this and put me on Youtube.

7. One of the hotly debated and much discussed questions about cultural diplomacy is its effectiveness. In your view, how do you evaluate the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy?

The most important part of cultural diplomacy is the communication that happens with the presentation of a country like Taiwan. Economically speaking we not be the best country, but we didn’t neglect or ignore the importance of culture. Culture is continuing. It is not possible to cut or separate our culture because it’s part of our life. A country without a culture could not be a great country. It’s not about size, it’s about national capacity. On one hand it’s the freedom of the society, where are the creators, what creation is allowed, are new things allowed to come out?

Positive effects of cultural exchanges with the international community will indirectly strengthen the confidence of the people. Countries and culture are different but our country is not bad. So why not encourage people to move to international community? This is necessary today to enable and strengthen understanding and international cooperation in regards to Taiwan.

Cooperation of so called general interest emphasizes cultural exchanges. Different puppet groups in Taiwan-there are wider divisions, different flavors, could be different, cultural differences and preferences. This together helps exchanges. Public spectators have more choices. It’s like a democracy. There are different choices, different communication. It’s all very positive.

7.3 Tiffanee Niitsu-Santo Interview

Interview with Tiffanee Niitsu-Santo 2019-04-11, 2018-10-22, Email interview 1. Please introduce yourself.

28https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2,6,10,15,18&post=148914

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I'm a 40 year old woman originally from Portland. [Oregon, United States] In 1993 we moved out here to Forest Grove where my dad grew up.

2. How did you become interested in Pili?

When I was a Junior in HS, Sailor Moon aired on TV and I fell in love. I wasn't into anime and Japanese comics/culture at that time but that changed. I even began studying Japanese on my own, learning to read and write as well. I'm not fluent in speaking but I can read a lot. My first husband was an Osaka native.

3. First you were interested in anime and Japanese culture. How did you learn about Taiwanese culture?

What got me into Taiwanese culture was the puppets. I learned of Taiwanese glove puppets when I saw Thunderbolt Fantasy two years ago. While I can appreciate the small traditional puppets, my favorite types are the TV size puppets, used in Pili, Golden Light and Underworld Rangers, of course. Since I read Japanese, am into manga, cosplay (I've been a cosplayer since 2005) and anime, I purchase various magazines at Kinokuniya Bookstore ・紀伊国屋書店 in Beaverton, Oregon. I've been a loyal shopper since 1998. In August 2016, I purchased the current issue of Animage ・アニメージュ, an Anime magazine, which had a 4 page article on Thunderbolt Fantasy.

4. What was the experience of discovering Taiwanese glove puppetry like?

I was AMAZED. What were these...."DOLLS"??? Are they for sale? Where can I find them? At first I thought they were Japanese made character dolls. Me, being a researcher orientated person, began my hunt on the world wide web, finding many things on PILI, even their official website where people can see the entire list of TV puppets for sale. People can buy their favorite roles.

Okay...they cost...WHAT?! I converted one of the prices of 47,000 NTD to roughly over $1,300 and plus. I sank in the chair thinking, ‘I can't afford that....and how the heck could I even BUY one?!’ (I then learned many studios that make original puppets will do monthly payments.) This prompted me to make friends in Taiwan and also go through channels to purchase Pili merchandise as well as my own puppets. I looked on YouTube, found a gentleman in Taiwan with a video of himself demonstrating his Taiwanese puppet. I made a comment along the lines of ‘I'm American and want to know how to buy a puppet.’ He, (Shouichi) replied and hence, aided me in my quest, as of which I now own 13 puppets, 8 of them being PILI characters. The others are original and one of a kind. I then decided to self-appoint myself as an Ambassador in the USA for Taiwanese Culture/Glove puppets and when I attend events, I take puppets with me.

5. What prompted you to become an Ambassador for Taiwanese culture and glove puppets?

I want other people of different cultures to know about Taiwanese culture and their tradition of glove puppetry. It’s a most beloved treasure in Taiwan and I believe that people from all over the world can and would truly appreciate and adore it as much as I do. Thusly, I take the opportunity to introduce it as much as I can. Public events are the easiest way to do this.

6. What are your self-appointed Ambassador duties?

I go to Kumoricon each year and I take a puppet. Also, as I will attend my 14th year at

Kumoricon later this month, I will bring 1 puppet with me to show around. I use a stroller for the

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puppet as they can be heavy after a while and having a bad back doesn't really help. This will be my second year bringing a puppet with me. It's part of my goal to help spread the awareness of Taiwanese culture. I also attended a ball jointed doll convention in August and I took a different puppet each day

7. What are people’s reactions to Taiwanese glove puppets?

Most people stare in complete awe and amazement. Others who know of Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD’s) ask me what sculpt the puppet is and that is when I start to explain that the puppet is not a BJD and I delve into introducing the individual/individuals to Taiwanese glove puppetry and I also make sure to include the proper name for it which is Budaixi. To sum it up, I receive positive reactions and as I previously said, the reactions are of pure amazement with most comments along the lines of “That’s a gorgeous doll! And so big!” which is an exact quote of one woman. I love it all.

8. What is the US Pili Fandom like?

To be honest, it’s a small but growing fan base, as Season 2 of Thunderbolt Fantasy is airing, more people have the opportunity to learn about the puppets. It’s very easy, especially if the fans are into Japanese animation and comics. I have had a lengthy conversation with Liang-Hsun Huang, who is the 5th generation head of Pili. I had managed to add him as a friend on Facebook and introduce myself. I brought up the idea of him maybe coming to the US again and helping me with a panel at Kumoricon about Pili and Taiwanese glove puppets in general. His response was along the lines of if the fan base grows larger he will consider it and see how his schedule is.

In 2017, he and Pili were invited by a Taiwanese staff member of Washington state’s annual Japanese culture convention Sakuracon. If I had known in advance I would have made a really big effort to make it there. I would have loved to meet Liang-Hsun Huang in person and I would have taken one of my Pili puppets. I can only imagine the surprise he and the other

members/puppeteers of Pili would have reacted. I sincerely doubt there are many other Americans with puppets in general. You can’t just go online to a shop site and buy one. You have to go through a friend Taiwan or know those who have puppet studios and who can buy the Pili puppets. Pili does not accept monthly payments, nor do they ship overseas. So you really have to have those channels to go through.

9. How much did you know about Taiwan’s culture before becoming a fan of Taiwan glove puppetry?

I honestly did not know anything, only that they speak Chinese, which I learned is Traditional Chinese or Mandarin Chinese. Besides puppetry, I'm interested in the food, people, learning Mandarin Chinese and culture as a whole. The same way I am with Japan. I do not limit myself in just being interested in the puppets. Taiwan’s culture as a whole is fascinating to me and I want to just dive into its pool of wonder. It’s an ongoing quest for me and a journey.

10. Did Taiwanese glove puppetry inspire you to learn more about Taiwan?

Oh YES, most definitely!!! I found myself wanting to learn Mandarin Chinese, buy Taiwanese cookbooks, travel guides and study material for the language. I plan to make a trip there in the future.

11. Has your opinion of Taiwan’s culture changed? If so, how?

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I really didn’t have an opinion of the culture, to be honest. I have just seen a lot of things sold here that say “Made in China/Taiwan”. I just figured it was a lot like China back then. But I’ve learned a lot about the history of China and Taiwan.

12. How much did you know about Taiwan’s political situation before becoming a fan of Taiwan puppetry?

I knew a bit of the tension between Taiwan and China, since many of the Taiwanese actually settled there with Chiang Kai-shek and brought over the puppetry culture with them, thusly, also expanding it into what it is today.

13. Has your opinion of Taiwan’s political situation changed? If so, how?

I learned from Taiwanese friends that it’s a very sensitive subject and it’s best not to discuss it in public, unless you’re in a group of people who are open to talking about it. I know that Taiwan is made up of many immigrants who fled China many decades ago and China holds a grip on Taiwan and the citizens want their independence and freedom.

14. Has your interest in Taiwanese glove puppetry helped make cross-cultural connections?

Yes, very much so. I've got over 2,000 friends there [Taiwan] on Facebook. I'm hoping to get there in the near future. Many of the friends appreciate what I do. I have managed to get many Americans interested in puppets and I link them to YouTube to watch videos. I even got a

Canadian friend interested and she went so far as to purchase the first Thunderbolt Fantasy series on DVD. This made me feel really accomplished.

I'm the first US citizen (who is not of Asian descent) to buy puppets from two people (who are friends) in Taiwan who manage their own studios. Earlier I mentioned my first friend in Taiwan, Shoichi, who helped me buy my first puppet. Shouichi has a blog and he made a very large entry about the journey of the first puppet to go to America. It received a lot of attention and positive feedback. Now, we don’t know 100% if I am the only American to own puppets. (Please note that this does not count for any people of Asian descent that live in the USA who have puppets.) I am also very much into tattoos and I plan to have the Taiwanese flag as well as a Pili puppet character tattooed on my right arm in the future.

Also, I had the pleasure of buying Pili merchandise on Ebay in the past from a Taiwanese college student studying in Nevada. He was very surprised that an American is so into Taiwanese

puppets and culture but at the same time, he was delighted. When sending me the Pili items I had purchased, he included many other items as gifts and as thanks for promoting his culture. I receive the same reactions from many Taiwanese friends. They express sheer gratitude and thanks for what I do. This in itself gives me great joy and a feeling of appreciation.

15. How do you think Taiwan can best promote its culture, history and political status to the international community?

I was told by a friend in Taiwan that it’s difficult for them to promote their culture. I find this to be accurate. This is a big reason why I decided to appoint myself as an Ambassador for Taiwan.

They need help with promotion and I believe if I and other people can introduce their culture to other countries, they will become more known and appreciated.

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Thunderbolt Fantasy is part of the gateway as it's reached many fans of anime/manga in general.

I'm very certain people who love Japan and other Asian cultures would also like Taiwanese culture. As you know, Taiwan just sits in a deserted corner, unknown by many while countries like Japan stand out like a bright white star in the sky. So it's up to people like YOU and ME to help Taiwan become a fellow bright star in the sky and shine. Knowledge is power and the more of it we can spread, the more other cultures will know about Taiwan’s culture with its rich history and traditions. In my own opinion, I think people are one of the best means of promotion, no matter what it is they are promoting. The more people outside of Taiwan who help promote its culture, the better for the world to know of it and who can explore the infinite wonders Taiwan has to offer.