The funeral orchestra usually marched out before the morning broke. (Photographer: Jun-Wei Hou. Date and place photos were taken: 2007; Yunlin and Chiayi County area.)

Members of Ya-Yin Ladies Orchestra performed in a hot summer day. (Photographer: Jun-Wei Hou. Date and place photos were taken: 2007; Yunlin and Chiayi County area.)

A curtain divided the sight into two different worlds. One is that of intense musical performance; another, the sorrowful and tired faces of the bereaved. (Photographer: Jun-Wei Hou. Date and place photos were taken: 2007; Yunlin and Chiayi County area.)

The face of a musician was pumped like a big ball. (Photographer: Jun-Wei Hou. Date and place photos were taken: 2007; Yunlin and Chiayi County area.)

The funeral orchestra played the last song for the deceased on his/her land. (Photographer: Jun-Wei Hou. Date and place photos were taken: 2007; Yunlin and Chiayi County area.)

Everyone was exhausted on the return trip after a full day’s heavy work. (Photographer: Jun-Wei Hou. Date and place photos were taken: 2007; Yunlin and Chiayi County area.)