Y. Narita, the technician of Bureau of Civil Affairs of Taiwan Sotokufu reported to Jun Mizuno, the Director of Bureau of Civil Affairs on his investigation on Green Island and Orchid Island on March 30th, 1879 (in the 30th year of Meiji Reign of Japanese Government Ruling Time). The geography, culture, and customs were recorded in this investigation with pictures of house styles, living appliances, and fishing tools.
Starting from the early 1870s, Japanese began to investigate, compile, and translate information about Taiwan. Some research was published. Therefore, Japanese society had have a basic understanding of Taiwan. They also believed that Taiwan's geographical location, terrains, and abundant resources were important for Japan in terms of expanding and developing in the near future. Thus, Japan government promoted the necessity of occupying Taiwan and strengthened the thoughts of invasion. The intellects played the important role of vanguards when Japan invaded Taiwan. After Taiwan was ceded by Ching Dynasty, Japanese government was eager to send officials to investigate the culture and customs of Taiwan. The publication of investigation on forests and aborigines had made Taiwan, the uncivilized people during the ruling of Ching Dynasty visible.
Y. Narida, the technician of Bureau of Civil Affairs of Taiwan Sotokufu reported to Jun Mizuno水野遵, the Director of Bureau of Civil Affairs on the investigation on Burning Island (hereafter, Green Island) and Red-Headed (hereafter Orchid Island) on March 30th, 1879 (in the 30th year of Meiji Reign of Japanese Government Ruling Time). The report has clear description and states on the islands geographical locations, shapes, development, terrain, topography, drinking water, climate, roadways, villages’ names, land taxation, customs, major staples, minerals, plants, birds, animals, and insects. Hand drawings on house styles of Yami of Red-Headed Island, hairstyles, clothes, rattan hats, wooden boats, fishing tools, toys, and moths of Green Island were also included as appendix.
Organization: Taiwan Historica
Program: Digitization of the Collection of Historical Document During Japanese Government Ruling Time and Beginning of Taiwan's Retrocession Time
國史館臺灣文獻館典藏日據時期與光復初期史料數位化計畫