Japanese Studies at OSU Libraries is excited to announce the acquisition of “Kanto Earthquake Watercolors.” This rare book, which has no official title, includes twelve pages of original paintings depicting the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan in 1923. This earthquake devastated several areas and resulted in a large fire, causing the death of an estimated 100,000 to 140,000 people. The paintings, created by Nakazawa Hiromitsu (中沢弘光), a well-known Nihonga and watercolor painter from Kansai, as well as other contemporary manga artists, focus exclusively on scenes from the aftermath of the historic disaster.
Kanto Earthquake Destruction
Kanto Earthquake Fire
This book, which forms part of the world-class manga collection at OSU Libraries, is now housed at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum (BICLM). For those interested in viewing this rare book, please contact Japanese Studies Librarian Ann Marie Davis at davis.5257@osu.edu.
