In 1901, Madame Okumura Ioko established the “Patriotic Women Association” in Tokyo, its goal was to take care and protect wounded soldiers or widows and orphans of those killed in battles. The members were mostly composed of upper class women in the Japanese Imperial Family.
In 1904, the association established branches in Taipei, Taichung and Tainan of Taiwan. The branches recruited wives of local gentries and famous people as their members, and involved in activities for social and public welfare. During the initial stage, they gave healthcare and relief to survivors of the aboriginal prevention and subjugation events. The source of their funds not only came from fundraising, but also supports from government authorities. They also did business in trading aboriginal products. In October, 1908, they issued the association’s publication, “Taiwan Patriotic Women”, and contributed in repealing foot binding movements in 1910. Later they built the “Women’s Private Vocational School”, providing females with adequate vocational education, and teaching them necessary knowledge and skills for daily life.
Besides doing all kinds of activities for public welfare, the Association also formed a photography club. In 1909 they cooperated with Toyojiro Takamatsu, and held a movie premiere in Taipei to fundraise relief funds. Presented films were of twenty or so varieties, including historical play, family drama, Samurai, etc. Since the first movie premiere had great success, it was decided to be held annually. A decision was also made to regularly hold a set of photography clubs in Taipei and Tainan, the films presented were mostly bought from Japan. Besides film presentation, the Association also sent people to aboriginal tribes to shoot actual scenes of Japanese subjugating aboriginals. In 1916, in order to not get in the way of local businesses, the Association ended the Activities Moment Department, and donated their collection of 19 films to Taiwan Education Association.
In 1933 it was promoted as “Patriotic Women Association Taiwan Headquarters”. In 1942 the Patriotic Women Association was merged with the National Defense Women Association, thus called The Great Japan Women Association. After World War II, the Association was taken over by the Republic of China.
