---
title: Namazu
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Namazu/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Namazu
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Namazu (aka Onamazu) is the [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) catfish of Japanese [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) held responsible for creating earthquakes. The creature was thought to live under the earth, and when it swam through the underwater seas and rivers there, it caused earthquakes. Subdued by the thunder [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, Namazu, nevertheless, remains a force to be reckoned with, even if he can, on occasion, bring good fortune and a redistribution of wealth as well as devastation.
The Japanese archipelago has suffered periodic and devastating earthquakes throughout its history (10% of the world's seismic activity occurs in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/)), and the creation of a monster which personified these terrible events was a mechanism which allowed people to explain and justify their seemingly random occurrence. The catfish Namazu swimming in the waters deep beneath the earth is thus an answer to the cause of the movement of the earth. Closely associated with the thunder gods, Namazu is seen as their counterpart below the earth. There was also another [earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) god, Nai-no-[kami](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kami/), who appears around the 7th century CE and later became identified with Namazu. In the [Meiji Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Meiji_Period/) (1868-1912 CE) Nai-no-kami was separated again and given his own personification.
Although Namazu was capable of great destruction, help was at hand from the heroic thunder and warrior god Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto (aka Kashima Daimyojin), for it was he who had a special stone, the *kaname-ishi ('pinning rock'), and digging down into the earth he used the stone to weigh down Namazu's head, restricting his movements and so limiting the frequency, or at least the intensity, of earthquakes. The 15 cm tip of this massive stone which still projects through the earth's surface can be seen at the Kashima shrine of Hitachi, to the northeast of Tokyo. Thus, there is a popular saying: “Even if the earth moves, have no fear, for the Kashima *kami* (spirit) holds the the *kaname-ishi* in place” (Ashkenazi, 220).
One legend recounts that Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1700 CE), perhaps in a fit of scepticism, attempted to excavate the *kaname-ishi* stone and see just how deep it went, but he gave up after seven days of digging and after he still hadn't found the bottom of the stone. Unfortunately, Namazu is not always pinned down for when Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto has to attend the annual conference of all the gods at Izumo, the catfish can squirm a little more than usual and cause an earthquake or two by thrashing his tail. Nevertheless, the idea spread of placing stones similar to the *kaname-ishi* at shrines to try and prevent or minimise earthquakes.
Namazu's efforts might bring destruction and despair but he does have a positive side. The catfish represented the regular renewal of the world known as *yo-naoshi* which was welcomed by the poor as an opportunity to shake up the wealthy classes, redistribute their accumulated riches, and make a new start. This idea became especially popular following a series of earthquakes in the [Edo Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edo_Period/) (1600-1868 CE) which many times reduced the haves to the level of the have-nots and provided the poor with a momentary opportunity to improve their lot in the chaos that immediately followed such disasters. The *yo-naoshi idea includes the hope that the poor will inherit the wealth of the rich and this role-reversal has meant that Namazu is sometimes associated with good fortune, or more specifically a temporary fortune. This is manifested in shrines or depots sacred to a local deity with an aspect of Namazu. Known as *kuramaya*, people may borrow bowls and utensils from them, but Namazu will bring personal misfortune if they are not cared for and returned after use.
Takemikazuchi and Namazu were popular subjects in Japanese paintings, especially *ukiyo-e* prints, when they were used during the Edo Period as talismans in people's homes to prevent serious earthquakes from striking and invoke Takemikazuchi's help should they do so. Images of Namazu are still around today, too, and seen, for example, on the digital warning devices produced by Japan's Meteorological Agency.
This content was made possible with generous support from the [Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation](http://www.gbsf.org.uk/?utm_source=ancient.eu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=ancient.eu).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Ashkenazi, M. *Handbook of Japanese Mythology.* Oxford University Press, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195332628/)
- [Cali, J. *Shinto Shrines.* Latitude 20, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0824837134/)
- [Hackin, J. *Asiatic Mythology.* Literary Licensing, LLC, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1494112566/)
- [Henshall, K. *Historical Dictionary of Japan to 1945.* Scarecrow Press, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0810878712/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2017, June 12). Namazu. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Namazu." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 12, 2017. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Namazu." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 Jun 2017, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 12 June 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.