In order to collect these objects, Hsu spends a lot of time with the aborigines, particularly the Yami of Orchid Island, who have preserved more of their ancient culture through being cut off from the modern world.
為了收藏山胞古物，他足跡遍及國內各山區。其中雅美族居住的蘭嶼島，由於孤懸海上，較少受到現代文明的衝擊，保留的原始文物較多，成為徐瀛洲最常探訪的地方，也成就他著書的因緣。