Envisioning a Special Collection
A special collection that I would curate for my chosen text is one that focuses on documenting the relationship between Taiwan and Japan – both historical and ongoing statuses. Taiwan had been under Japanese colonial rule from 1895 until 1945, when Japan surrendered and handed Taiwan over to the jurisdiction of the Republic of China after World War II.[1] The March 11th earthquake and tsunami during 2013 in Japan marks a critical period in the relationship between Taiwan and Japan as both nations suffered from the catastrophe. However, Taiwan showed immense generosity in donations to Japan after the catastrophe, indicating the somewhat unexpected amicability and alliance between the two nations despite their past relationship. I think the nuanced relationship, both diplomatically and economically, between the two nations is worthy of documenting through a collection of primary sources, images, objects, and texts – including my compilation of the awarding of the Order of the Rising Sun to my grandfather. These materials should provide chronological insight into the changing dynamic of the relationship between Taiwan and Japan as it has developed and will proceed to develop throughout time. This collection can perhaps be funded by the Harvard Club of the Republic of China Fund which is a book fund in the Yenching-Library dedicated to purchasing materials published in the Republic of China. Although not all materials will be explicitly published in Taiwan, I think the nature of the collection will fit the mission of this book fund. I believe this collection will be of interest to anyone from Taiwan or Japan, or simply anyone interested in international relations and understanding the history behind both nations. Since this collection focuses on two nations and their shared relationship, the materials will come from both varying and joint perspectives which hopefully will provide a comprehensive picture for the audience.
[1] https://www.taiwan.gov.tw/content_3.php