Giant oarfish, 1850. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In Japanese folklore, animals play an important role in the origin of earthquakes. According to a popular story, the cause of earthquakes is the giant catfish Namazu. Hiding somewhere beneath the Japanese mainland, sometimes he wiggles his tail, causing an earthquake in the human world. Some researchers believe that the myth of Namazu is based on people noting unusual behavior of catfish before an earthquake. However, folklorists noted that the history behind the myth is much more complicated. Namazu is considered one of the yo-kai, creatures of mythology and folklore causing misfortune and disasters. Namazu depictions are known since the fifteenth century, however, only in the late eighteenth century the catfish became associated with natural disasters. In the Tokugawa period (1603-1868) the catfish was a river deity associated with floods or heavy rainfall. Namazu often warns people from an imminent catastrophe or swallows dangerous water-dragons, preventing further disasters. Over time the catfish gradually replaces other animals, like water-dragons, the giant eel Jinshin-Uwo or the dragon-beetle Jinshin-Mushi, as earthshaking yo-kai.

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The catfish Namazu, representing the earthquake that destroyed Edo (modern Tokyo) in October 1855.Public Domain

The history of such myths explains also in part why some animals, especially fish, still today are regarded as a harbinger of disasters in Japan.

The giant oarfish, a deep-water creature living at depths from 650 to 3,300 feet, is the longest bony fish in the world, with 13 feet upwards, presumed to be responsible for some sea serpent sightings by European sailors. In Japan, it is believed to be sent by the dragon-king of the sea to warn people along the coast of an impending earthquake or tsunami. Earlier this week a 10.5-feet specimen washed up on the shore of Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan, while a 13-feet specimen was caught in a fishing net off the nearby port of Imizu, bringing the total oarfish found this season to seven.

At least a dozen oarfish had washed up onto Japan’s coastline in the year prior the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and subsequent tsunami, sparking articles about the supposed connection between sightings and earthquakes. In July 2015 a live oarfish was caught near Santa Catalina Island off the southern California coast. It was the third oarfish spotted in 19 months in the waters surrounding the island or washed ashore. Already in 2014, one specimen was washed ashore along the Santa Monica coastline and in 2013 in just a week two specimens were found dead on the shores of Santa Catalina Island. Some media searched for a connection between oarfish sightings and earthquake activity along the San Andreas fault, but none was found.

Biologists have proposed various explanations why oarfish periodically are spotted at the surface of the sea or found dead along the shores. They are not the greatest swimmers, and seasonal currents could push them to the surface, where they eventually die from exhaustion. A more exotic (and not proven) explanation involves gases or chemical compounds released by underwater fissures, poisoning and killing the animals in the sea. There is no statistically significant link between the behavior of animals and seismic activity to be found and there is to date no increased seismic activity in the oceans surrounding Japan reported.

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(************ )In Japanese folklore, animals play an essential function in the origin of earthquakes. According to a popular story, the reason for earthquakes is the huge catfish Namazu. Concealing someplace below the Japanese mainland, often he wiggles his tail, triggering an earthquake in the human world. Some scientists think that the misconception of Namazu is based upon individuals keeping in mind uncommon habits of catfish prior to an earthquake Nevertheless, folklorists kept in mind that the history behind the misconception is a lot more complex. Namazu is thought about among the yo-kai, animals of folklore and folklore triggering misery and catastrophes. Namazu representations are understood considering that the fifteenth century, nevertheless, just in the late eighteenth century the catfish ended up being related to natural catastrophes. In the Tokugawa duration (1603-1868) the catfish was a river divine being related to floods or heavy rains. Namazu typically cautions individuals from an impending disaster or swallows hazardous water-dragons, avoiding more catastrophes. In time the catfish slowly changes other animals, like water-dragons, the huge eel Jinshin-Uwo or the dragon-beetle Jinshin-Mushi, as earthshaking yo-kai.

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The catfish Namazu, representing the earthquake that ruined Edo (contemporary Tokyo) in October 1855. Public Domain

The history of such misconceptions describes likewise in part why some animals, specifically fish, still today are considered as a precursor of catastrophes in Japan.

The huge oarfish, a deep-water animal living at depths from 650 to 3,300 feet, is the longest bony fish worldwide, with 13 feet upwards, presumed to be accountable for some sea snake sightings by European sailors. In Japan, it is thought to be sent out by the dragon-king of the sea to alert individuals along the coast of an approaching earthquake or tsunami. Previously today a 105- feet specimen cleaned up on the coast of Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan, while a 13- feet specimen was captured in a fishing web off the close-by port of Imizu, bringing the overall oarfish discovered this season to 7.

A minimum of a lots oarfish had actually cleaned up onto Japan’s shoreline in the year prior the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and subsequent tsunami, stimulating short articles about the expected connection in between sightings and earthquakes In July 2015 a live oarfish was captured near Santa Catalina Island off the southern California coast. It was the 3rd oarfish identified in 19 months in the waters surrounding the island or cleaned ashore Currently in 2014, one specimen was cleaned ashore along the Santa Monica shoreline and in 2013 in simply a week 2 specimens were discovered dead on the coasts of Santa Catalina Island. Some media looked for a connection in between oarfish sightings and earthquake activity along the San Andreas fault, however none was discovered.

Biologists have actually proposed numerous descriptions why oarfish occasionally are identified at the surface area of the sea or discovered dead along the coasts. They are not the best swimmers, and seasonal currents might press them to the surface area, where they ultimately pass away from fatigue. A more unique (and not shown) description includes gases or chemical substances launched by undersea cracks, poisoning and eliminating the animals in the sea. There is no statistically substantial link in between the habits of animals and seismic activity to be discovered and there is to date no increased seismic activity in the oceans surrounding Japan reported.

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693152268131″ >

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Huge oarfish,1850 Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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In Japanese folklore, animals play an essential function in the origin of earthquakes. According to a popular story, the reason for earthquakes is the huge catfish Namazu. Concealing someplace below the Japanese mainland, often he wiggles his tail, triggering an earthquake in the human world. Some scientists think that the misconception of Namazu is based upon individuals keeping in mind uncommon habits of catfish prior to an earthquake Nevertheless, folklorists kept in mind that the history behind the misconception is a lot more complex. Namazu is thought about among the yo-kai , animals of folklore and folklore triggering misery and catastrophes. Namazu representations are understood considering that the fifteenth century, nevertheless, just in the late eighteenth century the catfish ended up being related to natural catastrophes. In the Tokugawa duration (1603 – 1868) the catfish was a river divine being related to floods or heavy rains. Namazu typically cautions individuals from an impending disaster or swallows hazardous water-dragons, avoiding more catastrophes. In time the catfish slowly changes other animals, like water-dragons, the huge eel Jinshin-Uwo or the dragon-beetle Jinshin-Mushi, as earthshaking yo-kai.

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The catfish Namazu, representing the earthquake that ruined Edo (contemporary Tokyo) in October1855 Public Domain

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The history of such misconceptions describes likewise in part why some animals, specifically fish, still today are considered as a precursor of catastrophes in Japan.

The huge oarfish , a deep-water animal living at depths from 650 to 3, 300 feet, is the longest bony fish worldwide, with 13 feet upwards, presumed to be accountable for some sea snake sightings by European sailors. In Japan, it is thought to be sent out by the dragon-king of the sea to alert individuals along the coast of an approaching earthquake or tsunami. Previously today a 10.5 – feet specimen cleaned up on the coast of Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan, while a 13 – feet specimen was captured in a fishing web off the close-by port of Imizu, bringing the overall oarfish discovered this season to 7.

A minimum of a lots oarfish had actually cleaned up onto Japan’s shoreline in the year prior the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and subsequent tsunami, stimulating short articles about the expected connection in between sightings and earthquakes In July 2015 a live oarfish was captured near Santa Catalina Island off the southern California coast. It was the 3rd oarfish identified in 19 months in the waters surrounding the island or cleaned ashore Currently in 2014, one specimen was cleaned ashore along the Santa Monica shoreline and in 2013 in simply a week 2 specimens were discovered dead on the coasts of Santa Catalina Island. Some media looked for a connection in between oarfish sightings and earthquake activity along the San Andreas fault, however none was discovered.

Biologists have actually proposed numerous descriptions why oarfish occasionally are identified at the surface area of the sea or discovered dead along the coasts. They are not the best swimmers, and seasonal currents might press them to the surface area, where they ultimately pass away from fatigue. A more unique (and not shown) description includes gases or chemical substances launched by undersea cracks, poisoning and eliminating the animals in the sea. There is no statistically substantial link in between the habits of animals and seismic activity to be discovered and there is to date no increased seismic activity in the oceans surrounding Japan reported.

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