He established a name for himself in Taiwan by mailing works home to participate in the Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibit sponsored by the Japanese colonial government. In three consecutive annual shows he received highest honors.
而當時台灣荒蕪的畫壇，也在日本旅台畫家鹽月桃甫、石川欽一郎等人的建議下，舉辦「台灣美術展覽會」（簡稱「台展」），而逐漸起步。楊三郎每年寄回作品參展，一連三年獲得台展入選及特選的榮譽，使得家人欣慰不已。