Bodies and Structures 2.0: Deep-Mapping Modern East Asian History

Borders

Borders are features of imaginary geography, because they exist only insofar as people conceive of them, although they can be marked by physical manifestations, such as checkpoints, fences, and walls. In this regard, national borders have much in common with the earthly manifestations of sacred geography, such as temples or the routes of religious processions. In the context of this module, that resemblance becomes much stronger, because the most important border—those between the Taiwanese and Japanese ethno-religious communities—existed within Taiwan, and within the urban terrain of Jilong. That border became much more rigid than the fuzzier, frequently crossed boundary between sacred and profane. However, it only became that way; the key point here is that borders are historical constructions. They are not natural, nor do they exist a priori, but they are formed through historical processes of definition and contestation. This module follows one process of border construction, re-construction, and transgression. In this regard it has much in common with other modules that chart the creation, crossing, and/or non-recognition of borders, such as Mitch Aso, Maren Ehlers, and Nathaniel Isaacson, who examine the spread of ideas and technologies across recognized, borders; Peter Thilly, who looks at the similar movement of an illicit commodity; and Sakura Christmas, who provides a totalizing perspective that disregards borders.

This page has paths: