Mino-Owari Major Earthquake of October 28, 1891

This postal card, postmarked in Osaka and dated October 31, 1891, was sent by Nakajima Takejiro (中島武郎) to Maeda Yoshihiko in Kobe. In an earlier post (see October 2, 2024), we featured another card from Nakajima, titled "1888年 芸術学生中島武郎から師匠 前田吉彦宛の年賀状" ("New Year's Greeting from Art Student Nakajima Takejiro to Master Maeda Yoshihiko"), which bore a Tokyo postmark. Once again, we encounter the intriguing term 六要堂 (Rokuyōdō) on this card.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, 六要堂 likely refers to an art class, studio, or cultural space associated with Maeda Yoshihiko, possibly involving a small group of individuals. Its repeated appearance in these cards suggests that it played a central role in the artistic or educational activities of Maeda and his circle during the Meiji period.

We have yet to identify who Nakajima was, but the fact that both cards address Maeda as sensei (teacher) strongly suggests he was once Maeda’s student. A personal touch appears on this postcard, where Nakajima wrote on the address side: 10月/ 30日 / ヨル (night of October 30). Why would he include that detail?

This 1891 postal card is interesting, as Nakajima inquires Maeda'a welfare and whether he was affected by the recent earthquake. From the date, he must have referring to the Mino-Owari Earthquake of October 28, 1891. 

The Mino-Owari Earthquake of October 28, 1891, was one of the most powerful earthquakes in Japan’s recorded history, with an estimated magnitude of 8.0. The epicenter was in the Nōbi Plain, affecting present-day Gifu and Aichi Prefectures. The quake caused widespread destruction, toppling buildings, collapsing bridges, and triggering landslides. The famous Neodani Fault, which runs through the region, experienced a massive surface rupture extending over 80 kilometers, with vertical and horizontal displacements exceeding six meters in some areas. More than 7,000 people lost their lives, and tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. The disaster was one of the first in Japan to be extensively documented with photographs, contributing to the early study of seismology.

The earthquake's impact was not limited to the immediate area; tremors were felt as far away as Tokyo and Kyushu. The damage prompted discussions on improving building techniques, as many traditional wooden homes collapsed under the intense shaking. The event also influenced Japan’s emerging scientific community, leading to advancements in earthquake research. Reports of the disaster spread quickly through newspapers, and letters such as the one you have provide insight into how people in distant cities, like Kobe, reacted with concern. This earthquake remains a significant historical event, marking a turning point in Japan’s understanding of seismic activity and disaster preparedness.