About This Issue
The moment Taiwan’s team won the championship in the Twelve Strong Baseball Tournament, the entire nation erupted in joy. Every swing of the bat, every cheer from the stands, carried the dreams and hopes of countless people, warming the hearts of all who love sports. This victory was more than just a game—it was the power of collective passion, allowing us to feel the excitement and emotion that sports bring.
A century ago, the Rajio (ラジオ, the Japanese term for radio) was not only a tool for physical exercise but also an indispensable means for people to follow sporting events. As the radio broadcasted music and announcers recounted the intense competitions, listeners tuned in faithfully, eagerly anticipating the triumph of their favorite teams.
Today, sports competitions have become almost ritualistic in daily life, and athletic activity stands as a defining feature of modern society. Yet this scenario is barely a century old. During Taiwan’s modernization under Japanese rule, organized sports gradually developed, shaping a distinctive era. Though radios are no longer used to follow events, the love for sports has remained unchanged.
Sports, as a product of Western civilization, swept into Taiwan over the past century alongside modern ideas from Europe, America, and Japan. The Japanese colonial government promoted school physical education, extracurricular activities, and sports days, where students ran across fields, demonstrating rhythm, agility, and vitality. Radio calisthenics and other physical activities were introduced for health and hygiene. Organizations such as Taiwan Sugar Corporation and the Taiwan Railway established sports clubs, fostering friendly competitions that varied with social hierarchy, creating unique mechanisms for communal interaction.
Beyond participation in sports, there is also the dimension of spectatorship. During the Japanese era, cheering for teams boosted morale, strengthened group cohesion, and demonstrated the powerful emotional resonance of sports. Sports-themed art, illustrations, and athletic venues all bear witness to the history and significance of sports, serving as cherished memories for a generation.
To coordinate the administration of athletics across Taiwan, various organizations were established to promote national fitness and participate in international competitions. Through these exchanges, it became evident that Taiwanese athletes—including Indigenous players—could compete on par with other groups in the Japanese Empire and even with Western opponents. This showcased not only Taiwan-Japan cooperation in sports but also a subtle form of colonial resistance. Those who studied in Japan or learned Western sports gained exposure to world-class standards, evolving from mere recipients into agents capable of absorbing and transforming new practices. In the course of history, “we” gradually stepped onto the competitive stage, entered international sports, and revealed Taiwan’s athletic passion to the world.
Finally, let us imagine them at the starting line, gazing ahead, waiting for the gunshot that signals the race; let us imagine their determined figures on the red clay mound of the baseball field, ready to pitch; let us imagine the fiery energy they ignite on the sports field, continuously passed along, fueling the pursuit of their own ideals. These scenes are not just fleeting moments—they are living proof of a century-long tradition of sportsmanship, leaving deep and precious memories in Taiwan’s athletic history.
ISBN 9772518947245 10
