Haishan Shrine Ruins Introduction
Haisan Shrine was completed on May 13, 1938, during the late period of Japanese rule in Taiwan. At that time, following the 1937 Incident, Japan had entered a wartime period, reaching the peak of its religious control over Taiwan. The Japanese government actively promoted the Kowtow to the Emperor movement in Taiwan to mobilize its people for the war effort. They enforced a policy of having one shrine for every community to strengthen their control over various aspects of life in Taiwan. The construction of Haisan Shrine is believed to be related to these policies enacted by the Japanese government at the time. As a site for ideological education and colonial indoctrination, the shrine created a strong cultural contrast with local temples in Taiwan. Existing structures at Haisan Shrine include a stone wall, stone steps, the base of the third torii gate, a stone platform, and an air raid shelter built in 1940. The stone wall is made of Shilin hard stone, while the steps consist of washed pebbles. The front part of the air raid shelter has been remodeled with cement, while the rear part retains its original structure. The heritage site includes the ruins of Haisan Shrine, the air raid shelter below Haisan Shrine, and the water reservoir located in Yuan Mountain Park.
