Paul Jacoulet et la micronesie sous mandat japonais, 1929-1932 (Paul Jacoulet and Japan’s Micronesia, 1929‐ 1932)

Out of 2,000 pictures that are in safekeeping at the late Jacoulet’s atelier in Karuizawa, Japan, 62 works was portraits of the Pacific Islanders, mainly the natives of more than 20 different islands in Japanese Mandated Micronesia. He claimed in 1936 that 14 journeys were made to create 2,000 works. If so, why was he mesmerized by the islands? Before that, was it possible to make so many trips? How was his relationship with the local people? At present, it is said that it is “impossible to say” about his specific commitment with islands, except that he took passages there “every year” between “1929 and 1930s” for “convalescence” and “wintering.” So this paper attempts to a little more clarify conundrums emerged from his footprints in Micronesia, referring administrative policies.