Haishan Shrine Ruins Introduction
Haishan Shrine was completed on May 13, 1938, during the late Japanese colonial period, right after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, as Japan entered a wartime phase. This was a time when religious control over Taiwan peaked, with aggressive promotion of the Kōminka movement to mobilize the Taiwanese in support of the war effort. The Taiwanese people were forced to worship at shrines as part of a policy that aimed for "one village, one shrine," which strengthened Japan's control over Taiwan in various aspects. The construction of Haishan Shrine is believed to be related to these policies implemented by the Japanese government at that time. Furthermore, as a site for ideological education and colonial indoctrination by the Japanese government, the shrine created a stark cultural contrast with local temples and shrines in Taiwan. The existing structures of Haishan Shrine include a stone wall, stone steps, the base of a 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 stone steps are made of washed gravel. The front part of the air raid shelter was modified with concrete, while the rear section retains its original structure. The heritage site includes the ruins of Haishan Shrine, the air raid shelter located below the shrine, and the Jisui water reservoir situated in Yuanshan Park.
