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The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This lead to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This lead to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This lead to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This lead to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This lead to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
Japan: Woodblock print depicting the god Kashima watching as the kaname-ishi rock, portrayed as a person, stands on the head of a giant catfish while a crowd of people try to subdue it, c. 1855. The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales, a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This lead to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The thin white Bhimsen Tower, also called Dharahara or Bhimsen Stambha (<i>stambha</i> meaning 'pillar') collpased during the 2015 earhquake that shook Nepal. The 60 metre high tower was built in 1824 by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa as a watchtower; the construction was based more on a whim than military necessity. Originally there were two towers, but the other collapsed in 1832.
The thin white Bhimsen Tower, also called Dharahara or Bhimsen Stambha (<i>stambha</i> meaning 'pillar') collpased during the 2015 earhquake that shook Nepal. The 60 metre high tower was built in 1824 by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa as a watchtower; the construction was based more on a whim than military necessity. Originally there were two towers, but the other collapsed in 1832.
The thin white Bhimsen Tower, also called Dharahara or Bhimsen Stambha (<i>stambha</i> meaning 'pillar') collpased during the 2015 earhquake that shook Nepal. The 60 metre high tower was built in 1824 by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa as a watchtower; the construction was based more on a whim than military necessity. Originally there were two towers, but the other collapsed in 1832.
The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
Kathmandu is an unexpected and extravagant mixture of peoples and religions, child-goddesses, bare-foot porters padding in back alleys, and sacred cows. The Kathmandu most people come to see is the Old City, a tangled network of narrow alleys, stores and temples located around central Durbar Square.
The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants.<br/><br/> The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.<br/><br/> A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.
The Namazu, also called the Onamazu, is a creature in Japanese mythology and folktales. The Namazu is a gigantic catfish said to cause earthquakes and tremors. Living in the mud under the Japanese isles, the Namazu is guarded by the protector god Kashima, who restrains the catfish using the <i>kaname-ishi</i> rock. Whenever Kashima lets his guard down, Namazu thrashes about and causes violent earthquakes.<br/><br/> The Namazu rose to new fame and popularity after the Ansei great earthquakes that happened near Edo in 1855. This led to the Namazu being worshipped as a god of world rectification (<i>yonaoshi daimyojin</i>), sent by the gods to correct some of the imbalances in the world.<br/><br/> Catfish woodblock prints known as <i>namazu-e</i> became their own popular genre within days of the earthquake. They were usually unsigned and often depicted scenes of a namazu or many namazu atoning for their deeds. They were quickly squashed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the prints censored and destroyed, with only a handful surviving to this day.
The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.<br/><br/> The Hindu festival of <i>Makara Sankranti</i> marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.<br/><br/><i>'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'</i>
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Ouroboros or Uroborus is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail.<br/><br/> The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity or cyclicality, especially in the sense of something constantly re-creating itself, the eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin anew as soon as they end (compare with phoenix). It can also represent the idea of primordial unity related to something existing in or persisting from the beginning with such force or qualities it cannot be extinguished. While first emerging in Ancient Egypt, the Ouroboros has been important in religious and mythological symbolism, but has also been frequently used in alchemical illustrations, where it symbolizes the circular nature of the alchemist's opus. It is also often associated with Gnosticism, and Hermeticism.
The 1855 Ansei Edo earthquake, also known as the Great Ansei Earthquake, was one of the major disasters of the late-Edo period. The earthquake occurred at 22:00 local time on 11 November. It had an epicenter close to Edo (now Tokyo), causing considerable damage in the Kantō region from the shaking and subsequent fires, with a death toll of about 7,000 people.<br/><br/> The earthquake also triggered a tsunami. Within days, a new type of color woodblock print known as <i>namazu-e</i> (lit. 'catfish pictures') became popular among the residents of the shaken city. These prints featured depictions of mythical giant catfish (<i>namazu</i>) who, according to popular legend, caused earthquakes and related tsunami by thrashing about in their underground lairs. In addition to providing humor and social commentary, many prints claimed to offer protection as talismans from future earthquakes.<br/><br/> The popularity of <i>namazu-e</i> exploded, and as many as four hundred different types became available. The phenomenon ended two months later when the Tokugawa government, which maintained a strict system of censorship over the publishing industry, forbade production. Only a handful are known to survive today.
The 1855 Ansei Edo earthquake, also known as the Great Ansei Earthquake, was one of the major disasters of the late-Edo period. The earthquake occurred at 22:00 local time on 11 November. It had an epicenter close to Edo (now Tokyo), causing considerable damage in the Kantō region from the shaking and subsequent fires, with a death toll of about 7,000 people.<br/><br/> The earthquake also triggered a tsunami. Within days, a new type of color woodblock print known as <i>namazu-e</i> (lit. 'catfish pictures') became popular among the residents of the shaken city. These prints featured depictions of mythical giant catfish (<i>namazu</i>) who, according to popular legend, caused earthquakes and related tsunami by thrashing about in their underground lairs. In addition to providing humor and social commentary, many prints claimed to offer protection as talismans from future earthquakes.<br/><br/> The popularity of <i>namazu-e</i> exploded, and as many as four hundred different types became available. The phenomenon ended two months later when the Tokugawa government, which maintained a strict system of censorship over the publishing industry, forbade production. Only a handful are known to survive today.
The 1855 Ansei Edo earthquake, also known as the Great Ansei Earthquake, was one of the major disasters of the late-Edo period. The earthquake occurred at 22:00 local time on 11 November. It had an epicenter close to Edo (now Tokyo), causing considerable damage in the Kantō region from the shaking and subsequent fires, with a death toll of about 7,000 people.<br/><br/> The earthquake also triggered a tsunami. Within days, a new type of color woodblock print known as <i>namazu-e</i> (lit. 'catfish pictures') became popular among the residents of the shaken city. These prints featured depictions of mythical giant catfish (<i>namazu</i>) who, according to popular legend, caused earthquakes and related tsunami by thrashing about in their underground lairs. In addition to providing humor and social commentary, many prints claimed to offer protection as talismans from future earthquakes.<br/><br/> The popularity of <i>namazu-e</i> exploded, and as many as four hundred different types became available. The phenomenon ended two months later when the Tokugawa government, which maintained a strict system of censorship over the publishing industry, forbade production. Only a handful are known to survive today.
This woodcut is from Hokusai’s series of woodblock prints titled ’36 Views of Mount Fuji’.<br/><br/> Hokusai (1760-1849) was first and foremost a ‘ukiyo-e’ (floating world) painter of the Edo period. In this woodcut, he shows Mount Fuji in the background. The raging waves in this illustration are often mistakenly called ‘tsunami’; however, as the waves are offshore, they are more correctly known in Japanese as ‘okinami’.<br/><br/> A tsunami caused by an offshore 8.9 magnitude earthquake devastated northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. Thousands of people were killed, and nuclear power plants were damaged, leading to widespread fears of radiation poisoning in the region.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
An unusual and early map of Japan encircled by a dragon indicating eatrthquake-prone regions.<br/><br/> Compare the similar but later 'dragon map' of Jishin Noben, also encircled by a dragon and indicating earthquake and tsunami zones, dating from 1855 (CPA0020806 ).
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
The Great Kantō earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kantō Plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58 in the morning on Saturday, September 1, 1923. Varied accounts indicate the duration of the earthquake was between four and 10 minutes. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake later surpassed that record, at magnitude 9.0.<br/><br/> The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale (Mw), with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Island in the Sagami Bay. The cause was a rupture of part of the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate along the line of the Sagami Trough.<br/><br/> This earthquake devastated Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama, and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, and caused widespread damage throughout the Kantō region. The power was so great in Kamakura, over 60 km (37 mi) from the epicenter, it moved the Great Buddha statue, which weighs about 93 short tons (84,000 kg), almost two feet.<br/><br/> Estimated casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead. The damage from this natural disaster was the greatest sustained by prewar Japan. In 1960, the government declared September 1, the anniversary of the quake, as an annual 'Disaster Prevention Day'.<br/><br/> According to the Japanese conclusive report, 105,385 deaths were confirmed in the 1923 quake.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar.<br/><br/> The great stupa, once the tallest man-made structure in the pre-modern (20th century) Lan Na Kingdom, was seriously damaged in an earthquake in 1545, losing almost half its height, as reported in the 'Chiang Mai Chronicle'.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar.<br/><br/> The great stupa, once the tallest man-made structure in the pre-modern (20th century) Lan Na Kingdom, was seriously damaged in an earthquake in 1545, losing almost half its height, as reported in the 'Chiang Mai Chronicle'.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.