『John Thomson: A Linear Cultural Heritage』
John Thomson (June 14, 1837 – September 29, 1921) was a 19th-century Scottish photographer, geographer, traveler, explorer, and writer. As one of the earliest photographers to travel to the Far East, Thomson documented the customs and daily life of various Eastern countries, creating a valuable visual record of 19th-century Asian societies. His work profoundly influenced the development of professional photojournalism.
In 1871, John Thomson arrived in Xiamen, where he met James Maxwell (1836–1921), a fellow Scotsman and medical missionary. Maxwell had been sent by the Presbyterian Church of Scotland to Taiwan in 1865. Through Maxwell’s accounts, Thomson learned about the island’s indigenous cultures and its abundant natural resources, including wild tea and camphor. Deeply intrigued, Thomson decided to accompany Maxwell to Tainan to gain firsthand experience of the local customs and way of life.
In April 1871, Thomson embarked on his journey through Formosa, arriving at Takao Port (present-day Kaohsiung) and capturing its breathtaking scenery. His photographs remain the most comprehensive visual documentation of 19th-century Takao, portraying the vast expanse of the sea and sky with an Oriental poetic aesthetic. In addition to Takao, Thomson also photographed Tainan—then known as Taiwan Prefecture—including Fort Zeelandia (Anping Fort) and Various locations such as Bama, Neimen Church, Jiaxianpu, Laonong, and Fangliao. These images serve as an invaluable record of Kaohsiung’s cultural and geographical landscape over 150 years ago.
During his time in Taiwan, Thomson took more than forty photographs. Aside from capturing the landscapes of southern Taiwan—such as Moon World, valleys, bamboo forests, houses, and streams—his most significant contributions were his portraits of the indigenous Pingpu people. His subjects ranged from hunters and young women to fishermen, offering a rare glimpse into their lives. These photographs were later featured in his publications and have played a crucial role in the study of Taiwan’s history and the visual heritage of Austronesian cultures.
Because of his remarkable documentation, John Thomson’s name remains deeply intertwined with Taiwan’s history.
