Namazu
In its own language: 鯰
from the Japanese word for catfish
A giant catfish myth believed to cause earthquakes in Japan
The Namazu is a mythical giant catfish from Japanese folklore said to live beneath the earth and trigger seismic activity. The creature is restrained by the god Takemikazuchi at Kashima, and its movements are interpreted as the source of violent quakes.
- Giant catfish myth from Japan causing earthquakes
- Restraied by god Takemikazuchi using a stone
- Popularized by 1855 Edo earthquake namazu-e prints
- Seismologists linked catfish agitation to quakes
- Used in modern Japanese earthquake warning systems
What it is
The Namazu is a colossal catfish in Japanese mythology that resides underground or within the mud beneath the islands. It is credited with causing violent earthquakes when it thrashes about. The creature is associated with the deity Takemikazuchi, who is enshrined at Kashima. This god holds the Namazu down with a heavy stone to prevent disaster. If the god’s guard slips, the catfish breaks free and shakes the ground.
Where it comes from
The link between catfish and earthquakes likely began near Lake Biwa around the sixteenth century. Early depictions appeared in Ōtsu-e prints from that region. Widespread cultural connection did not solidify until the late seventeenth century. The belief grew significantly during the nineteenth century as a symbol of seismic prediction and cause.
Tools and materials
The central tool in the myth is the kaname-ishi, often translated as a foundation stone or cap stone. The god Takemikazuchi uses this stone to pin the Namazu beneath the earth. In artistic representations, the god may also use a sword to subdue the creature. The prints sometimes show gold coins scattered by the quake, symbolizing wealth redistribution.
Namazu, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Japanese mythology
Peoples and places
The tradition is specific to Japan. The legend gained traction after the 1855 Edo earthquake, leading to the mass production of namazu-e woodblock prints. These broadsides depicted the catfish as both a destroyer and a yonaoshi daimyōjin, or world-rectifying deity. The imagery reflected public sentiment regarding social justice and the redistribution of hoarded wealth following the disaster.
At a glance: who, where and when
Peoples
Belief worlds
What people believe
The worldview places the Namazu as a powerful force of nature controlled by Shinto deities. The restraint of the catfish represents the fragile balance preventing catastrophe. Some accounts suggest catfish can predict quakes due to their agitation. Seismologists in the 1930s noted that catfish showed increased movement hours before tremors, reinforcing the folk belief in their sensitivity to seismic shifts.
How scholars and sceptics see it
In the 1930s, seismologists Shinkishi Hatai and Noboru Abe studied catfish behavior. They found that aquaria catfish displayed heightened agitation before earthquakes. Their research claimed an eighty percent accuracy rate in predicting quakes based on this agitation. This scientific observation validated the earlier anecdotal claims that catfish could sense seismic activity naturally.
Compare and confuse
The Namazu is distinct from other water spirits but shares traits with dragon-serpents in some illustrations. It is sometimes called the earthquake fish. The concept differs from general storm gods by being specifically tied to subterranean movement and seismic events rather than atmospheric weather.
Today
The Namazu remains a cultural icon in Japan. It appears in emergency preparedness materials, including the Earthquake Early Warning logo used by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Mobile applications like Yurekuru Call feature the catfish as an icon. The creature also appears in modern media, such as Pokémon, Dragon Ball GT, and the film Suzume.
Questions people ask about Namazu
What is the Namazu?
The Namazu is a giant catfish from Japanese mythology believed to live underground and cause earthquakes when it moves.
Who controls the Namazu?
The Shinto god Takemikazuchi, enshrined at Kashima, restrains the Namazu with a heavy stone to prevent it from shaking the earth.
Why are catfish linked to earthquakes?
Folklore suggests catfish sense seismic activity. Nineteenth-century anecdotes and 1930s studies noted their agitation before tremors, reinforcing the myth.
What are namazu-e prints?
Namazu-e are woodblock prints popular after the 1855 Edo earthquake. They depict the catfish and often symbolize social justice through scattered gold coins.
Good reading and sources
- Namazu on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Namazu", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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