County-Designated Historic Site: Monument to Dr. Koto-yama Kawai's Achievements

Dr. Shitaro Kawai, a professor of forestry at the Imperial University of Tokyo, Japan, was invited by the Taiwan Governor-General's Office. In May 1902, he surveyed Alishan in Chiayi, discovering its excellent forest landscape, high-quality timber, and abundant reserves. In his survey report, he strongly advocated for its development, which drew significant attention from the Governor-General's Office. Subsequently, Dr. Kawai's opinions played a pivotal role in several key inspections and forestry management plans, making him the greatest contributor to the development of Alishan's forestry. Therefore, after his death, a monument was erected in his memory, and it was designated as a county-designated historic site. Koto-yama Shitaro Kawai, Doctor of Forestry from the Imperial University of Tokyo, was appointed by the Taiwan Governor-General's Office on February 8, Meiji 36 (1903), to oversee the development of Alishan's forests and the surveying of the forest railway route. On October 3, Meiji 37 (1904), a large exploration team comprising over 30 officials, including Governor-General's Office Civil Administrator Shinpei Goto, Bureau of Colonization Director Iwai, Chiayi Prefect Okada, Railway Department Chief Engineer Kiyoshi Hase, and Dr. Shitaro Kawai, along with 60 porters, reached Wansui Mountain in Alishan after three days. This marked the beginning of the Alishan forest development project. However, due to the concurrent Russo-Japanese War and the Japanese government's financial difficulties, the official launch was delayed until Meiji 39 (1906). The development process faced numerous challenges. Initially undertaken by the private Fujita Gumi company, it was later halted and continued under direct government management by the Governor-General's Office. Dr. Shitaro Kawai, serving as a forestry consultant to the Taiwan Governor-General's Office, dedicated a long period to exploration and planning, making immense contributions to the development of Alishan's forestry. On March 14, Showa 6 (1931), Dr. Shitaro Kawai passed away in Tokyo, Japan. To honor his accomplishments, the Koto-yama Kawai Forestry Doctor Monument was erected in Alishan in November, Showa 7 (1932), and officially unveiled on February 3, Showa 8 (1933).