Namazu-e (鯰絵)
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: 1855
Medium: O-ban Nishiki-e (大判錦絵, large-format coloured print)
Object number: O.11.14
DescriptionNamazu-e (鯰絵, catfish pictures) are published during the Edo period. They were published in large numbers following the Ansei earthquake (安政の大地震) of 2 October 1855, based on the folk belief that an earthquake was caused by a large catfish active underground. At the time, the publication had to undergo prior censorship before being published. However, in order to quickly release namazu-e to the market in a more timely manner taking an advantage of the chaos after the earthquake, people published them anonymously and illegally without passing through the censors. As a result, in many cases, such as this print, the painter and other details of the catfish paintings are unknown.
The reason for the horse being depicted is not clear, but it may be related to a folklore story in which a person who survived an earthquake had horse hair on their kimono, which was believed to be a blessing from a sacred horse (神馬) from Ise shrine (伊勢神宮).
The reason for the horse being depicted is not clear, but it may be related to a folklore story in which a person who survived an earthquake had horse hair on their kimono, which was believed to be a blessing from a sacred horse (神馬) from Ise shrine (伊勢神宮).