1605 Keichō earthquake, Tsunami earthquake in Nankai and Tōkai regions, Japan
The 1605 Keichō earthquake occurred on February 3 along the Nankai and Tokai coasts with a magnitude of 7.9, combining weak ground shaking with unusually large waves. The tsunami generated by seafloor movement devastated coastal settlements and fortifications across multiple prefectures.
The earthquake destroyed major castles in 1605, particularly the main tower of Kakegawa Castle and fortifications along the Atsumi Peninsula. This event ranks among the most powerful tsunamis to strike Japan's Pacific coast.
Buddhist priests recorded detailed accounts of the disaster in their diaries, providing glimpses into how people understood and processed sudden natural catastrophes. These writings show how communities viewed and responded to forces beyond their control.
Since ground shaking was barely noticeable, people had little warning before massive waves arrived, making rapid movement to higher ground essential in such events. Understanding this pattern helps coastal visitors recognize that weak tremors can still bring serious danger.
The tsunami waves exceeded those from the 1707 and 1854 earthquakes despite those events being considered stronger overall. This discovery reveals that earthquake magnitude does not always predict wave heights.
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