Migration between Taiwan and Yaeyama islands

• Main Authors: Chang, Yu-Ting, 張瑜庭
• Other Authors: Lim, Hong-mui
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/51994588632038877730

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 台灣語文學系 === 104 === In recent years, the Japanese Tourism Agency has been strongly promoting the Yaeyama region as a major destination for sightseeing. To evenly distribute the tourists that visit the Okinawa region, various marketing strategies have employed for Yaeyama’s Ishigaki Island to fashion the image of the island into “the Southland of sunlight, enthusiasm, and beaches.” The Taiwanese tourism industry has also followed this kind of image building for the Yaeyama region. Yet, when you actually set foot on Yaeyama’s Ishigaki Island, you find shopping streets in the port. The ambience of this Japanese island surpasses that of the other islands of Yaeyama. Looking back on the history of Yaeyama, it starts with disciplinary action against Ryukyu up to its return. Yaeyama has always played a passive part in its own evolution. Also, because of this pulling across different national borders, the Yaeyama region possesses its own culture while also having integrated with the culture of the land and its language. Yet, it is not incorporated into the history of any particular place. Since the Yaeyama region constantly sees the coming and going of many people apart from its residents, this kind of mixing and mutual influencing has helped shape the Yaeyama society of today. The Yaeyama region has always been a region subject to influence from foreign elements. This was also the case for the former Yaeyama society. It appeared as one that was flowing and not established. This study combs through the layers of history and, from the perspectives of different countries, draws on historical facts that are related to the Yaeyama region to piece together the divergent parts that make up the country and culture of Yaeyama. At the same time, two field interview excursions with more than 15 Yaeyama Taiwanese and their second generation were also conducted in the Yaeyama region. The two field interview excursions are separated into Yaeyama Taiwanese that went over as a collective family during tomb sweeping and those who travelled as part of the Overseas Chinese Association to attend the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China. This is a testimony to the distinctive character of the activities of the Yaeyama Taiwanese. The future Yaeyama region will be subject to another transformation plan for the needs of tourists. This again serves as a new wave of cultural input, which seems more than appropriate given that Yaeyama’s cultural field is defined by its flowing characteristics.