Meta Description (within 155 characters)

A deep dive into the ancient ties between Japan and Taiwan: historical records of Yi Zhou and Liuqiu, Kuroshio voyages, shell bracelet trade, and Taiwan’s enduring mystery.


—

Table of Contents

1. Introduction｜Why the Ancient Japan–Taiwan Connection Matters


2. Historical Records of “Yi Zhou” and “Liuqiu”｜Taiwan or Okinawa?
　2-1 Yi Zhou in the Records of the Three Kingdoms
　2-2 “Liuqiu” in the Book of Sui
　2-3 Did the Nihon Shoki Mention Taiwan?


3. The Kuroshio Current and Ancient Voyages｜Between Risk and Possibility
　3-1 The Kuroshio: Barrier or Highway?
　3-2 The 111 km Between Yonaguni and Taiwan


4. Archaeological Evidence of Southern Networks｜Shell Bracelets and Pottery
　4-1 The “Shell Road” as Proof of Trade
　4-2 Okinawa’s Role and the Sakishima Islands
　4-3 Technological Parallels with Taiwan


5. The Year 607｜Sui Expeditions to Liuqiu and Japan’s Envoys to Sui


6. The Charm and Mystery of Taiwan
　6-1 Taiwan’s Natural Richness
　6-2 The Diversity of Indigenous Cultures
　6-3 Taiwan as the “Island of Mystery”


7. A Perspective of Empathy｜What Disability Teaches Us About Ancient Voyages


8. Conclusion｜Taiwan as Japan’s “Southern Gateway”


9. Final Thoughts｜Toward a Future Connection with Taiwan




—

Full Article

1. Introduction｜Why the Ancient Japan–Taiwan Connection Matters

When we think of Japan’s ancient history, the focus often lies on its ties with the Korean Peninsula or the Chinese mainland. Yet, if we look southward, Taiwan lies astonishingly close—only 111 kilometers from Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost point. On clear days, one can literally see Taiwan’s outline from across the sea.

And yet, in Japan’s classical texts such as the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Taiwan is never mentioned explicitly. Was there truly no connection?

This gap between geographical closeness and historical silence is one of the greatest mysteries of East Asian antiquity.

In this article, we explore the possible links between ancient Japan and Taiwan through historical records, the Kuroshio Current, archaeological findings such as shell bracelets, and finally, Taiwan’s enduring charm and mystery.


—

2. Historical Records of “Yi Zhou” and “Liuqiu”｜Taiwan or Okinawa?

2-1 Yi Zhou in the Records of the Three Kingdoms

Chinese records from the Three Kingdoms period mention an island called Yi Zhou (夷洲). Wu sent ships to explore it.

Many scholars interpret Yi Zhou as an early name for Taiwan, though some argue it referred to the Ryukyu Islands instead.

What is clear, however, is that Taiwan—or at least the island world of the East China Sea—was already on the radar of powerful continental states.


—

2-2 “Liuqiu” in the Book of Sui

The Book of Sui (7th century) describes Liuqiu (流求) as being east of Fujian, a five-day voyage by sea. It records that Sui launched expeditions there in 607 and 608.

The debate remains: was Liuqiu Taiwan or Okinawa? Scholars are divided.

But one thing is undeniable: the island societies of the East China Sea had enough presence to attract direct imperial involvement.


—

2-3 Did the Nihon Shoki Mention Taiwan?

The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki focus heavily on relations with Korea and China. Taiwan, or any clear southern reference, is absent.

Thus, to reconstruct Japan–Taiwan relations, we must rely on Chinese historical records and archaeological evidence rather than Japan’s own chronicles.


—

3. The Kuroshio Current and Ancient Voyages｜Between Risk and Possibility

3-1 The Kuroshio: Barrier or Highway?

Separating Japan and Taiwan is the powerful Kuroshio Current.
For ancient sailors in dugout canoes, it was both a deadly barrier and a helping hand.

Modern simulations show that, under favorable conditions, even primitive boats could cross from Taiwan to Yonaguni.
This makes ancient voyages not only possible but probable.


—

3-2 The 111 km Between Yonaguni and Taiwan

The stretch between Yonaguni and Taiwan is 111 km—dangerous, yet within visible range on clear days.

With knowledge of the stars, winds, and tides, ancient sailors could have seized narrow windows of opportunity to cross.

Their courage mirrors that of modern explorers.


—

4. Archaeological Evidence of Southern Networks｜Shell Bracelets and Pottery

4-1 The “Shell Road” as Proof of Trade

Archaeology reveals the voices of those unrecorded in texts.
Shell bracelets made from large tropical shells, such as turban shells and conchs, have been unearthed in Kyushu and even in the Kinki region.

These shells came from Okinawa and likely from further south, perhaps Taiwan.
This proves a northward trade network through Okinawa.


—

4-2 Okinawa’s Role and the Sakishima Islands

Okinawa served as the relay station in this maritime exchange.
The Sakishima Islands (Miyako and Yaeyama), being closest to Taiwan, display cultural features distinct from northern Okinawa.

Pottery and stone tools from these islands show similarities with Taiwan, suggesting shared techniques or exchanges.


—

4-3 Technological Parallels with Taiwan

Taiwan’s Neolithic cultures and the Shimotabaru phase of Yaeyama share parallels in perforation techniques and stone tool styles.

Such similarities are unlikely to be mere coincidence—they hint at real contact and mutual influence.


—

5. The Year 607｜Sui Expeditions to Liuqiu and Japan’s Envoys to Sui

In 607, Japan sent Ono no Imoko as an envoy to Sui.
In the same year, Sui dispatched expeditions to “Liuqiu.”

This synchronicity suggests that the entire East China Sea was becoming an arena of international exchange.
Japan looked west, Sui looked east—and Taiwan or Okinawa stood right at the crossroads.


—

6. The Charm and Mystery of Taiwan

6-1 Taiwan’s Natural Richness

Taiwan is a small island, yet it contains high mountains, fertile plains, and stunning coastlines—like a miniature continent.

For ancient visitors, such abundance must have evoked both awe and desire.


—

6-2 The Diversity of Indigenous Cultures

Taiwan has long been home to diverse indigenous peoples, speaking languages of the Austronesian family.

For ancient Japan, this represented a completely different world, full of mystery and wonder.

Today, this cultural richness remains one of Taiwan’s great appeals.


—

6-3 Taiwan as the “Island of Mystery”

Because ancient records like “Yi Zhou” and “Liuqiu” are ambiguous, Taiwan shines as a historical mystery.
It was never fully documented, leaving space for imagination.

This absence of clarity is what keeps Taiwan fascinating even today.


—

7. A Perspective of Empathy｜What Disability Teaches Us About Ancient Voyages

As someone living with a severe disability, I’ve grown sensitive to subtle changes in the environment—wind direction, smells, the rhythm of sound and silence.

I imagine ancient sailors relied on these same cues.
Like me, they faced limitations and fears, yet found ways to push forward.

This is why I feel deep empathy for those who braved the sea toward Taiwan.
Their courage was not unlike the courage required to live fully with disability today.


—

8. Conclusion｜Taiwan as Japan’s “Southern Gateway”

“Yi Zhou” and “Liuqiu” cannot be conclusively identified, yet Taiwan is the most likely candidate.

The Kuroshio Current, though perilous, opened possibilities for ancient voyages.

Shell bracelets and pottery point to a trade network that stretched from Taiwan to Japan via Okinawa.

Taiwan embodied a “different world”—rich, diverse, and mysterious.


Taken together, Taiwan was undeniably Japan’s Southern Gateway in antiquity.


—

9. Final Thoughts｜Toward a Future Connection with Taiwan

The Japan–Taiwan connection cannot be reconstructed with certainty.
But what is certain is that Taiwan has always been there, just beyond the horizon, inspiring fear, admiration, and curiosity.

Today, Taiwan’s night markets, tea plantations, and indigenous songs remind us of a continuity that stretches back to antiquity.


—

✦ A Question for Readers ✦
If you were an ancient sailor setting out for Taiwan, what would you carry in your heart—fear, or hope?
Your answer may shape how we envision the future ties between Japan and Taiwan.