Report on Technician Yasuki NaritaY. Narida's Investigation on Green Island and Orchid Island

Tags: Green Island | Orchid Island

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Program: Digitization of the Collection of Historical Document During Japanese Government Ruling Time and Beginning of Taiwan's Retrocession Time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

Report done by technician, Y. Narita's Investigation on Green Island and Orchard Island (1)

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 the investigation on Burning Island (Green Island) and Red-Headed Island (Orchid Island) on March 30th, 1879 (in the 30th year of Meiji Reign of Japanese Government Ruling Time).

Report done by technician Y. Narida's Investigation on Green Island and Orchard Island (2)

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 the investigation on Burning Island (Green Island) and Red-Headed Island (Orchid Island) on March 30th, 1879 (in the 30th year of Meiji Reign of Japanese Government Ruling Time).

Bay area and Aborigine's House of Orchid Island

The picture on the right is the bird's eye view of the bay area in Orchid Island. On the left is a picture of aborigine's house and working place in Orchid Island.

Pictures of Aborigine's Hairstyles and Fishing Tools

Drawing on the right is a male's hairstyle of Orchid Islander. On the top left is a fishing hook and on the bottom left is a resting board on the fish boat.

Pictures of Aborigine's daily appliances in Green Island

On the top right is a rattan helmet. In the center right is a chicken shape toy from mainland Ching Dynasty or Japan, and on the bottom right is a spoon made of coconut rind. On the top left is a ceramic bowl and on the bottom left is a canoe.

Pictures of Aborigine's Fishing Ornaments and Tools in Green Island

On the top right is an ornament made of fish skin. On the bottom right is a fish shape ornament made of wood. On the top left is a fishing tool box and on the bottom left is a fishing net drawing.

Pictures of Aborigine's clothes and water container used in Orchid Island

Drawings on the right is the clothes made of ramie. On the left is a water container made of coconut.

Pictures of Aborigine's accessory and daggers in Orchid Island

Drawing on the right is a woman's nacklace. In addition to shells, Japanese coins with crafting were attached on the nacklace. On the left is a dagger and a rattan sheath.

Pictures of aborigine's helmet, fishing basket, and sunshade armor used in Orchid Island

On the top right is a wooden helmet. On the bottom right is a fishing basket made of rattan. Drawing on the left is an sunshade armor made of coconut rind.

Picture of a giant moth found in Green Island

This is a picture of a giant moth found in Green Island with seven-inch diameter wing.