Haishan Shrine Ruins Introduction
Haishan Shrine was completed on May 13, 1938, during the late era of Japanese rule in Taiwan. At that time, following the July 7 Incident, Japan had entered a wartime period, and the religious governance of Taiwan reached its peak. The Japanese government actively promoted the Japanization movement in Taiwan to mobilize the entire island in support of the war effort and to respond to the changing circumstance, enforcing the worship of shrines among the Taiwanese people. They also implemented the policy of "one shrine per village" to strengthen their control over Taiwan in various aspects. The construction of Haishan Shrine is believed to be related to these policies implemented by the Japanese government. Furthermore, as a site for the ideological education and colonial indoctrination by the Japanese government, the shrine forms a strong cultural contrast with local temples and shrines in Taiwan. The existing structures of Haishan Shrine include stone walls, stone steps, the base of the third torii gate, a stone platform, and an air-raid shelter built in 1940. The stone walls are made of Shilin hardstone, while the stone steps are constructed from gravel. The front section of the air-raid shelter has been remodeled in concrete, while the rear section retains its original structure. The historical site includes the ruins of Haishan Shrine, the air-raid shelter located beneath it, and the Chihsui water distribution pool situated within Yuanshan Park.
