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Namazu-e (鯰絵) Wealth destroys houses, jobs enrich themselves (富は屋を崩し職は身を潤すとは)

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Japanese colour woodblock print showing three men surrounding a clothed catfish

Namazu-e (鯰絵) Wealth destroys houses, jobs enrich themselves (富は屋を崩し職は身を潤すとは)

Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: 1855
Medium: O-ban Nishiki-e (大判錦絵, large-format coloured print)
Object number: O.11.19
DescriptionThis describes a conversation between people making jokes about the proverb 'Wealth enriches the house, virtue enriches the body (富は屋を潤し徳は身を潤す)', which means that 'one adorns one's house when one is rich in wealth and enriches one's personality when one is rich in virtuous deeds'. The sense of powerlessness and social unrest diffused by the earthquake can be seen in the satire.