Catalog record · 目録番号 136141
Songs for an Earthquake
Catalog note / 解説
The <i>namazu</i> is an enormous mythical catfish said to live underground in Japan. When angry, it wriggles about, causing earthquakes. A series of what are termed <i>Namazu-e</i> ('Pictures of the Earthquake-fish') were produced anonymously in Japan following the great earthquake of 1855. This print depicts two <i>namazu</i> as wandering musicians playing a <i>samisen</i> (a three-stringed instrument) and a <i>mokugyo</i> gong. The creatures sing about what happens to people caught under different circumstances during an earthquake. Materials: Woodblock print on paper
Image record / 画像情報
VAM · ca. 1855 · vam
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