NMTH gives historic take on Taiwan maps

2015/11/04

The Taiwan Map Festival is currently underway at the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City, marking the fourth anniversary of the institution by offering public access to a treasure-trove of geographic and historical documents pertaining to the island of Taiwan.

Comprising classical, general, single and thematic atlases, the 20-plus maps may date back to as early as the 16th century. These include maps fashioned by mariners, merchants and missionaries from England, France and the Netherlands.

“We hope the wealth of topographical charts and diagrams will trigger exhibition-goers’ interest, and further spur them to consider the lives of those who lived long ago and reflect on the relationship between people and this beautiful land,” the Ministry of Culture said.

One of the earliest maps, drawn by Dutchman Peter Plancius in 1592, depicts Taiwan as three separate isles, while a map of the East Indian Archipelago portrays it as a chain of islands. A map made in the Netherlands in 1625 was the first to show Taiwan as a single island, with its shape somewhat reflecting geographical realities.

Another intriguing piece is a map titled “The Kingdome of China” created by an Englishman, John Speed, in 1627. The border of the map contains illustrations of men and women from Myanmar and Ming dynasty China (1368-1644), as well as soldiers from Japan.

There is also a depiction of a Catholic being crucified at the hands of the Japanese. Sailing vessels and an imaginary sea monster can be seen in eastern waters, adding an adventurous element to the map. Maps of the era were often purchased by wealthy families and utilized as decorations.

An equally eye-catching work is the Atlas of the Chinese Empire made by the French Jesuit Joseph de Mailla in 1714. As the Qing dynasty’s (1644-1911) rule merely reached the western part of Taiwan, only that part of the island was presented in detail, with the remainder of the island left unillustrated.

Running through Nov. 8, other activities at the event include a concert, lectures, do-it-yourself workshops and a time capsule ceremony for the 10th anniversary of the museum.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=238462&ctNode=2194&mp=9)