In 1898, a “Welcoming Ceremony and Celebration for the New Governor-General” was organized to welcome the new Governor-General of Taiwan, Kodama Gentaro (1852–1906), and the Civil Administrator, Goto Shimpei (1857–1929), while bidding farewell to the departing Taipei Prefecture Governor, Hashiguchi Bunzo (1853–1903). After several preparatory meetings at the Tamsui Hall in Taipei, the event was scheduled for April 30, 1898, at one o’clock in the afternoon at Taipei’s Yuanshan Park, marking a major event in the first half of 1898. A specialized preparation committee was formed, led by Tachimi Naofumi (1845–1907, Director of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan), who served as the committee chair. The committee was organized into four divisions, including “Design,” “Management,” “Sideshows,” and “Security,” each staffed by multiple committee members who planned and executed the event. Most division heads and committee members were high-ranking Japanese officials stationed in Taiwan. The only exception was the Sideshows Division, led by Nambu Shigetoki (Director of the Taiwan Artillery Factory and Army Major), which included influential Taiwanese gentry, such as Li Chun-Sheng (1838-1924), Tsai Ta-Ching (1854-1903), Yeh Wei-Kuei (1854-1905), Li Ping-Chun (1873-1904), and Wang Ching-Chung (1856-1925).
Entry to the “Welcoming Ceremony and Celebration for the New Governor-General” required a two-yen ticket. To understand this in historical context, official records from the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan show that Imamura Minosuke’s monthly salary was 25 yen at the time, making the ticket price relatively high. The committee estimated a budget of 1,500 yen for sideshows and catering, split evenly among three districts in Taipei, including Bangka, Dadaocheng, and the Inner City, with each district contributing 500 yen for the event. Additionally, major companies such as Hakushika (White Deer) and Ito Yebisu Beer sponsored large quantities of Japanese sake and beer for attendees.
According to the official itinerary, a formal 19-gun salute was fired as key dignitaries and honored guests arrived at the “Welcoming Ceremony and Celebration for the New Governor-General.” After opening remarks and ceremonial procedures, the event transitioned into a celebratory fair for attendees. The venue’s main stage featured traditional singing, dancing, shamisen performances, and taiko drumming. Additionally, twelve specialty refreshment stalls were set up in the park, offering a variety of Japanese- and Western-style foods and drinks, including yakitori, rice balls, sushi, pickled daikon, soups, ham, sandwiches, ice, beer, and sake.
The report titled “Notes on the Welcoming Ceremony and Celebration for the New Governor-General,” published in the Taiwan Shinpo on May 6, 1898, describes a lively late-spring setting. Yuanshan Park’s green entrance was adorned with a “Long live the guests” sign, warmly greeting visitors. During the event, Yamashita Hidemi (1847–1930), the event’s chief representative and the president of the Taiwan Shinpo, delivered a formal congratulatory speech to Governor-General Kodama. Additionally, Governor Hashiguchi and his wife, who would soon depart Taiwan, planted a magnolia tree and tortoise-shell bamboo as a farewell gesture in Yuanshan Park. The occasion ended with hosts and guests enjoying each other’s company, celebrating a perfect harmony of time, place, and people.