REKIHAKU

No.109 A Witness to History

Earthquake-One Big Shake and The Country Was In Ruins: The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923

A scene of fire spreading to the Twelve-story Tower in Asakusa Park and the Hanayashiki amusement grounds

In elementary school we learned the date of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, (Taisho 12) by memorizing this memorise device: "Jishin hito-yure kuni sanzan" (earthquake one big shake, country is in ruins). "Hito" means one in Japanese. "Kuni," the word for country, can be separated into two parts "ku" and "ni", meaning nine and two, respectively. The "san of "sanzan" (in ruins) means three; thus, 1-9-2-3. On September 1, 1923 at 11:58 am the entire southern part of the Kanto region was assailed by an earthquake. Fatalities numbered 99,331. The number of injured was 103,733 and 43,476 people were recorded missing. The number of homes completely destroyed was 128,266; 126,233 homes were partially destroyed, and 447,128 homes burned. The enormous damage cause by this earthquake affected 3.4 million victims. (the above statistics come from the "Kanto Daishinsai" chapter on the Great Kanto Earthquake (of 1923) in the Kokushi Daijiten, an authoritative encyclopedia of Japanese history). The economic repercussions of the disaster were one of the main causes of the Showa Financial Crisis. The country was, indeed, in ruins.

A simple method for sanitizing wells

A fortune teller's ad-"I will absolutely not accept any payment"	A flyer for roofing materials for barracks (with sample)	"Sanitation Warning". Instructions for boiling water for sterilization and sanitary measures for handling food and drinks.。	Order of the Kanto Martial Authority. "Only military police officers may conduct inspections of passers-by." This edict was probably issued after problems developed from the actions of privately organized police groups.

After the earthquake, people lived in desperation, uncertain of what tomorrow would bring. They constructed temporary barracks and started living a life of anxiety. It seems many people sought a glimpse of hope in consulting in fortune tellers. As concerns deepened over the deterioration of public safety and sanitation, martial law was declared and the military took charge of securing public safety. Many ordinances were issued concerning sanitizing methods for well water. Unfounded rumors that Koreans had poisoned wells spread and killings occurred in various areas. One cause for this must have been the anxiety people felt.

"The tale of this disaster should be passed along forever." A postcard of the disaster scene in the Imperial capital	Cover of "Photo Album of the Great Kanto Earthquake"

"Song of the Great Taisho Earthquake" by Azenbo Soeda ("New Popular Songs, Great Earthquake Songs")

The earthquake was such an intense event that it was natural for people to keep records and memorabilia, retain it in their memories and feel an urge to recount it for a long time. A large number of photographs and songs that related the gruesomeness of the earthquake were sold and distributed. It was also the duty of the survivors to soothe the spirits of the dead. Conversely, postcards showing pictures of corpses and ranking lists such as the Great Ranking of the Great Kanto Earthquake came to be produced and sold outside of the Kanto area. (One of the ranking lists was of "the increased number of mask and postcard shops".) The disaster was in some ways removed from most people's daily lives and yet, it was the biggest topic of the times. That, as well, can only been seen as one more form of people's "memory" of the earthquake.

Toshiya Ichinose
Historical Research Department,
National Museum of Japanese History

	isho Earthquake Memorial Prayer Song
"Great Ranking of the Great Kanto Earthquake" made in Nagoya

A sketch of the gigantic whirlwind in the direction of Honjo-Ishihara