Jointly organized by the National Museum of History and the University Museum of the University of Tokyo, this special exhibition, Formosa Orchids Blossom, brings together key institutions in Taiwan that house important orchid collections. It also involves a wide range of experts and scholars specializing in orchid science and the arts to present a multifaceted, interdisciplinary exploration of the aesthetics, history, and cultural significance of orchids in Taiwan.

Focusing on the orchids of Taiwan, the exhibition showcases over 200 valuable items that span both the natural sciences and the arts. Highlights include original works by botanical artists from the Meiji and Taishō eras from UMUT, such as Watanabe Kuwatarō (1860–1905) and Yamada Toshio (1882–1941), as well as pieces by Wang Jen-li (1909–1988), one of Taiwan’s first botanical illustrators, and the renowned contemporary artist Nakajima Mutsuko (1939–). Also on view are rare orchid specimens and glass plate negatives from Taiwan’s Japanese colonial period, modern decorative designs featuring orchid motifs, and orchid-themed paintings by modern masters such as Chang Dai-chien (1899-1983), Pu Hsin-yu (1896-1963), Chen Chin (1907–1998), and Shiy De-jinn (1923–1981).

This exhibition transcends borders, eras, and disciplines to present a rich and diverse cultural history of orchids in Taiwan.

Venue: Exhibition Halls 1 and 2, National Museum of History
Dates: July 8 (Tue) – September 7 (Sun), 2025
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
(Closed on Mondays. If Monday is a national holiday, the museum will close the following day.)

*The trilingual exhibition catalog Formosa Orchids Blossom brings together highlights from both the Tokyo and Taipei editions of the exhibition and features insightful essays and columns by international, interdisciplinary scholars, with detailed descriptions of all exhibited works in Chinese, Japanese, and English.

https://imedia.culture.tw/channel/nmh/zh_tw/media/146361