A historical Study on the process of h olding the Koa Kosei Taikai （the 3rd Japan Recreation Congress）

Focusing on the Osaka City’s activity

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to consider the preparation status of the Koa Kosei Taikai focusing on the trends of Osaka City, and to clarify the circumstances opening of the congress. Osaka, where Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City play a central role, was to host the 4th World Recreation Congress （WRC） and planned to show the outcome of its unique kosei efforts to the representatives of the countries participating in the 4th WRC. However, because Japan decided to cancel the 4th WRC due to the prolonged Shino-Japanese War, Osaka no longer had a role in participating in it. But, Osaka City started preparations for the Koa Kosei Taikai as an alternative to the 4th WRC. It intended to make the citizens aware of the function of the Kosei Undo that was a part of the Koa Kosei Taikai. It also planned to showcase the results of its efforts for the Kosei to Japan, and to hold“ a Mihonichi （Trade fair）” to attract foreign visitors. Osaka City played a central role in preparing for the Koa Kosei Taikai. For two and a half years, Masakazu Morishita, Kujuro Fujiwara, and Akira Miyama played the key role in preparations and worked in coordination with the Osaka City Health Department. During the preparation Osaka City collaborated with the Osaka-shi Kosei Kyokai and mobilized citizens for the Koa Kosei Taikai. In addition, Osaka City cooperated with each ward office and held Ku Kosei Taikais for about 5,000 to 10,000 people. However, two weeks before the opening, the representatives of other countries participating in the Koa Kosei Taikai were suddenly changed. At the Koa Kosei Taikai, as an alternative project to the 4th WRC planned by the Osaka City, three people from the World Recreation Congress, Kirby, Mantai, and Psetti, were scheduled to participate. Although, since September 27, 1940, when the Tripartite Pact of Japan, Germany, and Italy was signed, the three members had not participated one after another. Shortly thereafter, Nazi officials were elected to represent Germany and Fascist officials to represent Italy. The newspaper companies were the first international events to appeal for the conclusion of the Tripartite Pact of Japan, Germany, and Italy at the Koa Kosei Taikai and reported its national significance in a big way. However, it cannot be unequivocally concluded that the Koa Kosei Taikai was held under the national significance, clearly stated in the selection results of the German and Italian national teams and newspaper reports. In preparation for the Koa Kosei Taikai, Osaka City continued to take the lead with its own intentions and plans. Moreover, even five days before the opening, some involved people continued to regard the tournament as the first international event in Osaka City and an opportunity to appeal for the existence of the city to the world. It can be said that the Koa Kosei Taikai has begun as an event with a complex meaning that cannot be converged on the meaning of the nation.