Sano Hachiman Shrine --- And the Old Army

I found an interesting shrine up on the "Uwa-machi" bluffs overlooking the Yokosuka downtown harbor area (Sano-Cho).

Sano Hachiman Jinja  佐野八幡神社

Don't know much about it, yet, but there is a really interesting (unusual) sight at the entrance -- the Torii gate, which marks the boundary the holy area and the outside.

Here is a photo:

Note the cannon/artillery shells located right behind the Torii .... how in the world did those stay there all these years, when most of these kinds of objects were collected by the authorities due to metal shortages during World War II, or, removed from Yokosuka's public places during its "Peace City" phase (1960s-1970s.)

These cannon ammunition rounds are the 32-cm type, used by the Japan Imperial Army --- and, back in the day, a Heavy Artillery Regiment was based in the nearby Iriyamazu area.

The on on the left labeled "Patriotism" 報国 HOUKOKU :

 












The one on the right is labeled "Loyalty" 盡忠 JINCHU :

The shrine itself is small but impressive --- the gods appear to be well-maintained...  And I'm guessing they are Army gods, not Navy.