Shimane Prefecture Governor Matsunaga Takekichi, accompanied by three others, visited Takeshima on August 19 of 1905 in order to conduct an inspection. A military correspondence addressed to the Oki Islands Magistrate Higashi Bunsuke written by Governor Matsunaga Takekichi and his entourage while aboard a ship off the coast of Takeshima reads, “August 19, 1905 – We inspected the new territory of Takeshima. Sorry before you! Our group comprises of four members: Governor Matsunaga, Chief of Police Sato, [Administrative Clerk] Fujita, and [Inspector] Otsuka.” (Ref. 1)

Explanation: A San’in Shimbun article reported that Governor Matsunaga’s delegation received three sea lion pups from the hunters operating on Takeshima. Upon the governor’s return to Matsue, the three pups were released into the pond located within the garden of the Shimane Prefectural Offices. These three sea lion pups were later preserved via taxidermy and are stored today at Shimane Prefectural Taisha, Matsue Kita, and Izumo Senior high schools.

Ref. 1: “Military Postcard” (dated August 19, 1905)

Related documents
Shimane Prefectural Archives Government Documents 1, 2011, pp.97-98 (Takeshima Kankei Shiryoshu 2-shu) (Collection of Documents Pertaining to Takeshima Vol. 2)

“Dolphins are released in the grounds of the Shimane Prefectural Office,” San’in Shimbun (August 22, 1905)