Old images of Taiwan
Between 1895 and 1945 Taiwan was a colony of the Empire of Japan. A series of old postcards of Taiwan pre-1945.
Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was under the colonial rule of the Empire of Japan, following its cession by the Qing Dynasty after the First Sino-Japanese War. This period brought about significant changes to Taiwan’s political, social, and economic landscape, which are documented in a series of beautiful old postcards from the era before 1945.
The island, known as “Formosa” during Japanese rule, was inhabited by a diverse population that included Han Chinese, indigenous aboriginal groups, and other ethnic minorities. The Japanese colonial administration aimed to integrate Taiwan into its expanding empire, regarding it as an important outpost for regional influence. The postcards and images from this period capture the diverse aspects of daily life, including rural landscapes, indigenous peoples, and the infrastructure that Japan developed, which contrasted sharply with traditional Chinese influences. These images reflect a world that was gradually transformed under Japanese modernization policies.
The Treaty of Shimonoseki, signed on April 17, 1895, officially ceded Taiwan to Japan. The Japanese established a colonial administration that sought to modernize the island. They invested heavily in infrastructure, including railways, roads, and ports, as well as educational institutions. Taipei became the colonial capital, and the Japanese introduced new agricultural techniques to improve production, particularly focusing on rice and sugar, which became major exports.
Resistance to Japanese rule emerged almost immediately, with various armed revolts led by both Han Chinese settlers and indigenous groups. The most notable of these early uprisings included the Tapani Incident in 1915, which was a large-scale anti-Japanese revolt involving both Han and indigenous groups. Though resistance was fierce, Japanese forces eventually suppressed the uprisings by 1902, with sporadic outbreaks continuing for years after. The colonial administration implemented strict control measures to curb resistance, including disarmament, surveillance, and assimilation policies.
In later years, Japan also pursued a policy of cultural assimilation, known as “Kominka”, which aimed to instill loyalty to the Japanese emperor. Taiwanese people were encouraged, and later coerced, to adopt Japanese names, practice Shinto rituals, and learn the Japanese language. Despite these efforts, Taiwanese identity persisted, and the tension between Japanese colonial aims and local traditions remained.
The postcards and photographs from this period provide a visual record of the colonial era, depicting scenes from urban modernization projects to rural traditions and aboriginal life. They offer valuable insights into a bygone era, reflecting both the transformations brought by Japanese colonial policies and the resilience of local cultures. These images bear witness to a Taiwan that was radically altered by five decades of colonial rule, a time that ended with Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945, after which Taiwan was handed over to the Republic of China.
Related: Flags of Taiwan, A Short History of the Incident 228
Images of Taiwan before 1945
Source (not available anymore: http://www.picturechina.com.cn/) via cinaoggi
Topic: Taiwan interesting facts, Japanese pics, Taiwan images, Taiwan aborigines pictures, old postcards of Taiwan
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