Two finely illustrated handscrolls on paper depicting the great Zenkōji Temple earthquake of 8 May...
Fine paintings in black & white and color washes. Scrolls (230 x 8640; 230 x 7530 mm.), silk outer endpapers at front of each scroll, wooden rollers. [Japan: after 1847].
The great Zenkōji Temple earthquake, which occurred in the evening of 8 May 1847, had tragic consequences. That very evening, the temple, in the center of the city of Nagano, drew large numbers of pilgrims celebrating the Gokaichō 御開帳 festival. The enormous earthquake struck at 9:30 pm, killing thousands of residents and pilgrims and destroying many houses in Nagano. The earthquake had continued consequences, causing large landslides, which... More
