Inventory of the Kanto Earthquake Materials, 1923

Abstract

Materials from the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Japanese region of Kanto on September 1, 1923. Includes a map of Tokyo and the disaster area, a copy of the special issue International Graphic Magazine from September/October 1923, a photo-illustrated pamphlet, 18 postcards with color-tinted photographs, and a scrapbook of photographs and newsprint about the event.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University
Title: Kanto Earthquake Materials, 1923
Language of Material: Japanese
Extent: 2.0 Linear Feet, 25 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

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Kanto Earthquake materials, 1923

Collection Overview

Materials in this collection include a mixture of formats documenting the aftermath of the Kanto earthquake. A set of 18 postcards, tinted with color in some cases, contain photographs of wrangled railroad systems, destroyed buildings, evacuees, and mass casualties from the earthquake. There is a photo-illustrated pamphlet, which includes black and white images of the devestated areas. Also included is a copy of International Graphic Magazine, which includes reporting in Japanese as well as images from the disaster. This magazine appears to be missing its back cover. Two special issues of Daishinsai Shashin Gaho, from September and October 1923, include photo illustrations of destruction along with early attempts at rescue and recovery. Finally, the collection includes a folded color map of Tokyo and the affected area, and a scrapbook of newsprint and printed images from after the earthquake. The scrapbook has been bound as a folio, and its news articles are also in Japanese.

Administrative Information

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Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

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Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.

Contents of the Collection

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Kanto Earthquake materials, 1923

(1 box)

18 postcards

Box 1

Daishinsai Shashin Gaho (Osaka Asahi Shinbunsha, Vols. 1-3., September and October, 1923.

Box 1

International Graphic Magazine, September/October Taisho^ 12 (1923)

Box 1

Daishinsai Shashincho illustrated pamphlet, 1923

Box 1

Taisho^ Daishinkasai Tokyo Panorama Chizu (folded color map)

Box 1

Scrapbook, 1923

Box 1

Historical Note

The Great Kanto earthquake struck the Japanese island of Honshu at 11:58 a.m. on September 1, 1923. With a magnitude of 8.3 on the Richter scale, the earthquake leveled Tokyo and the surrounding areas of Yokohama, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizouka. Along with the destruction of buildings and land, the earthquake resulted in widespread fires, as many people had been cooking their lunch around the time that the earthquake struck. A simultaneous typhoon in Northern Japan led to high winds that caused firestorms in cities across the region.

Estimated casualties from the earthquake and the resulting fires range from 100,000 to 150,000 people. About 2 million people were left homeless. Over the next several years, Tokyo was rebuilt with stricter safety standards, and more parks were added to offer open spaces as refuges. In 1960, the Japanese government declared September 1 to be Disaster Prevention Day.

Subject Headings

Related Material

This material was acquired along with a book on the event, Taisho^ Daishin kasaishi, which is a circulating item at Duke's Lilly Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Kanto Earthquake Materials, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The Kanto Earthquake Materials were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a purchase from the Boston Book Company in 2007. Its collector is unknown.