Ansei great earthquakes

The Ansei great earthquakes (安政の大地震, Ansei no Dai Jishin) were a series of major earthquakes that struck Japan during the Ansei era (1854–1860): The earthquakes were blamed on a giant catfish (Namazu) thrashing about.

Ukiyo-e prints depicting namazu became very popular around this time.

At that time, Yevfimiy Putyatin, who was in Japan, carried out rescue operations for the people of Shimoda.

[6] 1854 Iga-Ueno earthquake, one which registered 7.4 on the Richter scale and struck the Kansai region.

[8] The 1858 Hietsu earthquake struck Hida Province (modern-day Gifu Prefecture) on April 9, 1858.