據明治製糖株式會社三十年史（昭和十一年）所記，當年（昭和六年）日本治台已經三十餘年，各糖廠建廠也有二十年，為端正社風涵養，方便從業人員敬神祭祀，特於和園東北角設置簡易神社，供奉天照大御神，依日本神道教規，神位前方必有鳥居以區隔人與神，故以氏子之名奉獻本鳥居。台灣光復後，在全國反日運動下，鳥居被推倒棄置於和園涼亭下，掩埋於泥土裡，若非土壤流失，恐永不見天日。本區處楊經理介福於巡視和園時發現鳥居之兩根石柱部分浮現，經文資小組鑑定為鳥居石柱，為彰顯本區處保存維護文化性資產之決心與用心，特只是回復鳥居原貌。由於石柱上之年份遭到破壞，目前保留空白，唯從遺跡及史料判定應為昭和六年，若有前輩耆老能明確指出正確年份，將為石柱補上該數字。原供奉天照大御神為現址改制國父銅像，有其歷史背景因素，就保留給後人最一番省思吧！ 嘉義區處文資小組謹記2008年8月
The Record of Restoration to Sauntou Community Torii
According to the record from 30-Year History of Meiji Sugar Co. Ltd. (1936), by 1931, Japan had ruled Taiwan for over 30 years, and various sugar factories had also been established for 20 years. To proper the social climate and to make worshiping convenient for practitioners, a simple shrine was built in the northeast corner of Heyuan for worshiping Amaterasu Omikami (the goddess of the sun). According to Shinto regulations, a torii gate must be built in front of the deity’s seat to separate the human and divine realms. This torii gate was a dedication of the parishioners. After Taiwan’s retrocession, amid the nationwide resistance against the Japanese, this torii was toppled and abandoned at the pavilion of Heyuan, where it was buried in the soil. It might never have been seen if the soil had not eroded. During a patrol of Heyuan, Yang Jie Fu, the department manager discovered parts of the stone pillars of the torii gate. After verification by the cultural heritage group, they were confirmed to be parts of a torii gate. To manifest our department’s commitment and dedication to preserving cultural assets, it was decided to restore the torii gate to its original appearance. The inscription date on the stone pillars was damaged, so the year is currently left blank. Judging from the relics and historical records, however, it is possible that they may date back to 1931. If any elders can provide the exact year, it will be added to the pillars. Because of the historical background, the original shrine for worshiping Amaterasu Omikami has been replaced with a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. This transformation offers a point of reflection for future generations. Recorded by the Culture Heritage Group of Chiayi Department, August 2008