Historical landmark • 4 Chome-8 Akasaka, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 802-0032, Japan
A desolate expanse of red brick ruins in the Kokura Kita Ward of Kitakyushu City. This is the site of a wartime power plant, known at the time as the electric light engine house. The brick building exudes a gloomy atmosphere, as if steeped in the sad memories of war.
During the Pacific War, this power plant played a vital role in supplying power to the Te-mukiyama searchlights. Built with high-quality red bricks from Ehime Prefecture, the building still retains its wartime appearance, emanating an eerie presence despite being in ruins. The shadows dancing in the ruins and the gradually setting sun unavoidably bring to mind the shadows of war.
However, nature will gently engulf this ruin over time. The greenery of the trees will climb up and the branches will intertwine with the building, eventually becoming completely integrated. The traces of war are merging into nature and may be buried in the everyday peace.
Perhaps one day, this place will become an oasis of peace, where people will quietly reexamine the history of war. The sentiment of peace will be infused into the greenery surrounding the ruins. The red brick building will give us the opportunity to confront the past of war and learn the preciousness of peace.