1895 Sanyo Shimbun Map of Taiwan or Formosa

This is a rare and unusual propaganda map of Taiwan or Formosa, issued in September of 1895 (Meiji 28), a few months after the Japanese takeover. The map covers all of Taiwan and the nearby Penghu or Pescadores Islands. It is presented on an unusual southeasterly orientation, with north in the bottom left corner. A border roughly following the Zhongyang Range separates western or Chinese Taiwan from aboriginal Taiwan to the east. A key in the at the bottom identifies cities, railroads, roads, topography, and resources.

Japanese Propaganda

Chinese / Japanese text on the map describes the might of the Japanese Imperial Army, how it has cracked down and wiped out all opposition to the Japanese occupying administration. The stated intention of them map, however, is more forward thinking - to encourage Japanese business development and investment in the colony, which, as the map notes, has a wealth of 'sugar, camphor, rice, tea, tobacco, corn, melon, pineapple, palm, sulfur, and gold.'

Publication History and Census

The map was published as supplement to the Okayama newspaper, the Sanyo Shumbun (山陽新聞), on September 1 of 1895. We are aware of no other surviving examples.