On June 27 the Institute of Ethnology held an appreciation ceremony and symposium in honor of Dr. Chih-Wan Liu, pioneer scholar in Taiwan folklore and Taoism. Dr. Liu received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Institute and took part in a symposium along with younger anthropologists.

Since May 16, the Institute of Ethnology has been hosting an exhibition entitled "Roots and Inheritance: Dr. Chih-Wan Liu's Artifacts and Book Donations". The exhibits, which include valuable cultural relics and documents of Taoism and early folk beliefs in Taiwan, were donated by the eighty-eight year old scholar Dr. Liu. Dr. Liu has published papers and books in Chinese and Japanese, on his pioneering studies of Taiwan folk beliefs for almost half a century. He is the author of Great Propitiatory Rites of Petition for Beneficence at Sungshan, Taipei, Taiwan, Essays on Chinese Folk Belief and Folk Cults, and many other books that are related to folk beliefs and Taoist rituals which have had a great impact on scholars both in Taiwan and Japan. Dr. Liu was appointed to the Institute of Ethnology in 1964, and subsequently held various positions at the Institute. [Assistant Research Fellow (1964-1968), Associate Research Fellow (1968-1975), Research Fellow (1975-1989) and Adjunct Research Fellow (1989-2001)]. Folk beliefs were not heavily studied in the early years, but later grew in popularity and the research continues to flourish today.

Dr. Liu donated a total of 1,217 artifacts, 2,090 books and 1,014 periodicals to the exhibition. The exhibition reflects the journey of Dr. Liu and the Institute of Ethnology in the study of folk beliefs. The exhibition was organized by Associate Research Fellows Chuen-rong Yeh and Jen-chieh Ting, and Research Fellow Chang Hsun, all from the Institute of Ethnology. The organizers selected cultural relics, books, field work photos, and video interviews that comprehensively reflect Dr. Liu's lifelong research efforts. The exhibition is full of reminders of everyday life and also demonstrates the arduous research methods of the early years. Some of the highlights are a bamboo basket that is used for organizing royal oak clone Taoist instruments, a guan sha ting (a wooden gate-shaped symbolic ornament) for religious exorcisms, and the lamp box for lightening paths for spirits. These three highly valuable artifacts are extremely rare since they have almost completely vanished from modern life. The exhibition "Roots and Inheritance" will be held for eight months until January 31, 2012.

Appendix II: About the Exhibition

Title:  "Roots and Inheritance: Dr. Chih-Wan Liu's Artifacts and Book Donations"
Date of Exhibition:  May 16, 2011 – January 31, 2012
Opening Hours: 9:30-16:30, every Wednesday & Saturday (Closed on national holidays and consecutive holidays)
Place: Museum Exhibition Room 2, Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei 115
Host: Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica
Planners:

Dr. Yeh, Chuen-rong, Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica
Dr. Ting, Jen-chieh, Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica
Dr. Chang, Hsun, Research Fellow & Deputy Director, Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica

Guided group tours for 10-20 persons are available. Please make reservations in advance by e-mailing or faxing the application form to us 15-60 days before your scheduled visit. For more information please visit: http://www.ioe.sinica.edu.tw/tool/museum/html/Visit.html