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Living on the Beautiful Island of Formosa: Historical Artifacts of the Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan

  • Image of "LunchboxPinuyumayan people, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan, Second half of 19th century–start of the 20th century"

    Lunchbox
    Pinuyumayan people, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan, Second half of 19th century–start of the 20th century

    Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Thematic Exhibition Room
    March 10, 2026 (Tue) - May 31, 2026 (Sun)

    The island of Taiwan was once known as “Ilha Formosa,” a name given by Portuguese sailors to mean “beautiful island” when they passed by in the 16th century. At the time, many people were already living in Taiwan. Following the expansion of the Dutch East India Company and the conquest of the general Koxinga(1624–1662), Han Chinese people began to migrate to and live in Taiwan in the 17th century.
    The different peoples who had already been living on Taiwan island and the surrounding archipelagos called themselves “indigenous peoples”—presently, the Taiwanese government officially recognizes 16 indigenous ethnic groups. The current exhibition introduces the rich lives of Taiwanese indigenous peoples through the objects in the Tokyo National Museum’s collection.
    The Museum would like to express its sincere gratitude to The Al Thani Collection Foundation for generously supporting the research conducted for this thematic exhibition.

    List of Exhibits

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

Vest, Second half of 19th century–start of the 20th century.Paiwan people, Shihzih Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Lunchbox, Second half of 19th century–start of the 20th century.Pinuyumayan people, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan

Armor, Second half of 19th century–start of the 20th century.Tao people, Orchid Island, Taitung County, Taiwan,(Gift of Mr. Yamato Iwatarō)

Helmet, Second half of 19th century–start of the 20th century.Tao people, Orchid Island, Taitung County, Taiwan,(Gift of Mr. Yamato Iwatarō)

Pan Dunzai on an Outing (Copy), Start of the 20th century; original: 1747.Taiwan

 

Pamphlet

Living on the Beautiful Island of Formosa: Historical Artifacts of the Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan

Copies are available in the gallery during the exhibition period, while stocks last.
>PDF（5.7MB）

 

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