Recreation in Beitou
Arts and Culture
The art and culture category is to relax the mind through appreciating activities. Due to the wonderful content of the performing arts, which including the art and cultural works and dynamic poetry chanting, and sometimes with geishas and barmaids’ accompany, there were not a few participants.
For example, in the 1913 Beitou Noryo Kai event, Taipei Kenban geishas also appeared in the venue. They not only performed as performers, but also served guests in the venue.
“Taipei Noryo Kai event” (Japanese dancing for entertainment) Taiwan Daily News 1913.08.13
Firework
Fireworks are often seen in Taiwanese entertainment shows. In pursuit of the beauty of fireworks, the Japanese did not just simply lit them, but used special devices to do it.
Moreover, there was other function of setting off fireworks- as signal fireworks. In 1913, the firework performance was the highlight of Beitou Noryo Kan event. There were 50 types of fireworks including Guangdong firework and skyrocket firework etc.
“Sketch map of Taipei Noryo Kai event’s venue” Taiwan Daily News 1913.08.01
Katsudō Shashin
In Japan, the film was originally called "Katsudō Shashin", and the term “film” did not begin to be called until 1918. Katsudō Shashin was so attractive that people often willing to participate actively, and thus it could be constantly seen in the leisure activity events in Taiwan in 1910s and 1920s.
Sport
Engaging in sports can promote physical and mental health, and doing leisure activities can relieve tension. The combination of sports and leisure activities can not only maintain physical strength, but also replenish spiritual vitality. Therefore, sports-related leisure activities such as sumo and pool have begun to develop.
Board Game
To be connected with friends was also one of the purposes of participating in leisure activities, and the board game was the best example. It integrated art, rationality, strategy, and wisdom, and also challenged the mental stability of the participants. The board game had a huge attraction to the participants at the time.
“Renju Go Contest” Taiwan Daily News 1926.06.19
Music Player (Phonograph)
Music played an important role in entertainment. In addition to traditional Japanese music, Western songs were also being performed frequently. The organizers of events would mix Japanese and Western music, and used the new type phonograph to make the events more delightful.
Taiwanese Sideshow
In order to increase the participation of Taiwanese, Taiwanese cabarets were introduced to events. Budaixi (Glove puppetry) was the first Taiwanese opera project to be performed in leisure and entertainment field. In addition, there were dragon dance and band performance in the Beitou Noryo Kai event in 1913; In 1922, the “Beitou Qin Le Yuan Troupe” also had performed. It can be seen that leisure and entertainment activities have gradually integrated Taiwanese and Japanese cultures.
