Japan’s Namazu Legend: The Catfish Behind the Quakes
When the ground shakes in Japan, modern science points to tectonic plates shifting along the Pacific Ring of Fire. However, centuries before seismographs existed, the Japanese people looked to the rivers and the gods to explain the terrifying phenomenon of earthquakes. At the center of this folklore is the Namazu, a giant subterranean catfish capable of bringing down cities with a flick of its tail.
As a traveler exploring Japan’s deep cultural roots, understanding the Namazu Shinko (Catfish Belief) offers a fascinating window into how a nation prone to natural disasters coped with fear through mythology and art.
Origins: From Dragons to Catfish
The association between aquatic creatures and earthquakes in Japan dates back to ancient times. In early texts like the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), earthquakes were often attributed to the movement of underground dragons or water deities. The specific shift toward the catfish, or namazu, began to solidify during the Edo period (1603–1867).
Catfish are known to be sensitive to tremors in the water, often becoming agitated before an earthquake strikes. This biological quirk likely fueled the superstition. By the 18th century, the legend had evolved from vague water deities to a specific, giant catfish living beneath the Japanese archipelago. The belief reached its peak following the catastrophic Ansei Edo Earthquake of 1855. In the disaster’s aftermath, hundreds of varieties of woodblock prints, known as Namazu-e, flooded the streets. These prints depicted the catfish variously as a villain to be punished or a god of “world rectification” (yonaoshi), redistributing wealth by destroying the property of the rich.
The Legend of the Kaname-ishi
The core of the Namazu myth centers on the Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture. According to the legend, the giant catfish lives in the mud beneath the earth, and its violent thrashing causes earthquakes. To protect the people, the thunder god Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto acts as the jailer.
Takemikazuchi pins the catfish’s head down using a massive spiritual stone known as the Kaname-ishi (Keystone). As long as the god applies pressure to this stone, the earth remains still. However, the legend suggests that once a year, during the month of October (known as Kannazuki, the Month without Gods), Takemikazuchi must leave to attend a gathering of deities at Izumo Taisha.
During his absence, or when he simply lets his guard down to rest, the Namazu seizes the opportunity to wiggle free. The resulting struggle causes the earth to shake violently, manifesting as the earthquakes that have shaped Japanese history.
Modern Culture and Symbolism
While modern Japan relies on advanced engineering and early warning systems, the image of the Namazu remains a potent cultural symbol. It has transitioned from a creature of fear to a mascot of disaster preparedness.
The JMA Logo
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) utilizes a stylized catfish on its logo for the Earthquake Early Warning system. You can often see this cute yet serious catfish on posters in subway stations and municipal buildings, advising citizens on how to prepare for disasters.
Pop Culture
The legend permeates Japanese entertainment. In the Pokémon franchise, the creature Whiscash (known as Namazun in Japanese) is a ground/water type Pokémon that creates earthquakes. Similarly, in Final Fantasy XIV, the Namazu appear as a beast tribe, referencing their mythological roots.
Traveler’s Tips: Where to Find the Namazu
If you are a folklore enthusiast visiting Japan, you can visit the actual sites where this legend was born. It makes for a perfect day trip from Tokyo.
1. Kashima Jingu (Ibaraki Prefecture)
This is the most critical site for Namazu lore. Located about two hours east of Tokyo, this ancient shrine houses the Kaname-ishi. While the visible part of the stone is small and unassuming, legend says it is the tip of a massive pillar that reaches deep into the earth’s crust to hold the catfish down.
2. Katori Jingu (Chiba Prefecture)
Located across the Tone River from Kashima, this shrine houses a second Kaname-ishi, said to pin down the catfish’s tail. Visiting both shrines is considered a pilgrimage for protection against disaster.
3. Souvenir Hunting
Look for Omamori (amulets) at these shrines featuring the catfish. They are popular gifts meant to ward off natural disasters and ensure personal safety.
Sources & Further Reading
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): For context on early Japanese creation myths and earth deities.
- Cornelis Ouwehand, “Namazu-e and Their Themes”: An academic look at the woodblock prints of the 1855 earthquake.
- Kashima Jingu Archives: Historical records regarding the origin of the Kaname-ishi legend.