Investigation report on Green Island and Orchid Island by Engineer Narita Yasuteru

The Japanese started to survey, compile, translate and publish reports on Taiwan from the early 1870’s. They developed a detailed understanding of Taiwan and regarded the region as crucial to Japan’s future expansion due to its geographic location, terrain and abundant resources. This view advocated the importance of occupying Taiwan and strengthened Japan’s determination for expansion. It is thus apparent that the intelligentsia played a predominant role in related decisions.

After the Qing Dynasty ceded Taiwan to Japan, the Japanese government continued to actively dispatch officials to the region in order to conduct detailed investigations on forestland and the aborigines. 
 
On March 30th in the 30th year of the Meiji Era (1897 A.D.), Narita Yasuteru, engineer of the Department of Civil Affairs under the Office of the Governor-General in Taiwan, presented his field trip reports on Kasho-to (known today as Green Island ) and Koto-sho (known today as Orchid Island) to the then Director, Jun Mizuno. 
 
In the reports, the geographical location, shape, past history, terrain, geology, water resources, climate, roads, villages, population size, land taxes, customs, economic activities, minerals, natural environment and animals were all documented in great detail. Drawings were included to illustrate the houses, hairstyles, attire, rattan hats, wooden boats, fishing gear, and toys of the Yami people on Koto-sho and the moths and insects on Kasho-to.
 
Green Island and Orchid Island Investigation Report No.1 by Narita Yasuteru, engineer of the Department of Civil Affairs
On March 30th, in the 30th year of the Meiji Era (1897 A.D.), Narita Yasuteru, engineer of the Department of Civil Affairs , presented his field trip reports on Kasho-to (Green Island ) and Koto-sho (Orchid Island) to the then Director, Jun Mizuno.
 
 
 
Green Island and Orchid Island Investigation Report No.2 by Narita Yasuteru, engineer of the Department of Civil Affairs
On March 30th, in the 30th year of the Meiji Era (1897 A.D.), Narita Yasuteru, engineer of the Department of Civil Affairs , presented his field trip reports on Kasho-to (Green Island ) and Koto-sho (Orchid Island) to the then Director, Jun Mizuno.
 
 
 
Bay area and aboriginal housing on Orchid Island 
On the right of the image is a bird’s eye view of a bay on Orchid Island, while on the left can be seen typical aboriginal housing and work area.
 
 
Hairstyle and fishing gear of aborigines on Orchid Island
Right: Hairstyle of men of Orchid Island. Upper left: Fishhook. Bottom left: Stool used by fishermen during breaks in the middle of fishing trips.
 
 
 
Aboriginal objects for daily use of Orchid Island
Upper right: Helmet made of rattan. Middle right: Chicken-shaped toy from Qing China or Japan. Bottom right: Spoon made of coconut skin. Upper left: ceramic bowl. Bottom left: Canoe.
 
 
Fish ornaments and fishing gear used by aborigines of Orchid Island
Upper right: Ornament made of fish skin. Bottom right: Fish-shaped wooden ornament. Upper left: Fishing line box. Bottom left: Fishing net.
 
 
Water containers and costumes of aborigines of Orchid Island and water holders
Right: Clothes made of ramie. Left: Water container made from a coconut
 
Ornament and knives used by aborigines of Orchid Island
Right: Women’s ornaments. In addition to seashells, a Japanese coin from the Kuanyong Reign is also used for this ornament.
Left: A mountain knife and a rattan-made sheath which is carried on the shoulder.
 
Helmet, creel and sunshade armor used by aborigines of Orchid Island
Upper right: Wooden helmet. Bottom right: Creel made of rattan. Left: sunshade armor made of coconut skin.
 
Large Moth found on Green Island
This is a drawing of a moth found on Green Island. Its wings span a total of 23 centimeters.