The Namazu-e of 1855

Namazu and the kaname-ishi rock. Japan, 1855

In November 1855, the Great Ansei Earthquake struck the city of Edo (now Tokyo), claiming 7,000 lives and inflicting widespread damage. Within days, a new type of color woodblock print known as namazu-e (lit. “catfish pictures”) became popular among the residents of the shaken city. These prints featured depictions of mythical giant catfish (namazu) who, according to popular legend, caused earthquakes by thrashing about in their underground lairs. In addition to providing humor and social commentary, many prints claimed to offer protection from future earthquakes.

Namazu are normally kept under control by the god Kashima using a large rock known as kaname-ishi. The Great Ansei Earthquake of 1855 is said to have occurred when Kashima went out of town and left Ebisu (god of fishing and commerce) in charge. In this print, the giant subterranean catfish unleashes destruction on the city while Ebisu sleeps on the job. Kashima rushes home on horseback while the city burns, and Raijin the thunder god defecates drums. Large gold coins fall from the sky, symbolizing the redistribution of wealth during the rebuilding phase.

Namazu with construction tools, portrayed as the legendary warrior Benkei.

[Full story and more images found here.]

Bisulcated Hot Links

You Keep On Worrying Me, Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm (1959) “Turner maintained strict discipline over the band, insisting they lived in a large house with him so he could conduct early morning rehearsals at a moment’s notice. He would fire anyone he suspected of drinking or taking drugs, and would fine band members if they played a wrong note.”

THIS.

Stoops.

The Trap.

LOOK OUT.

Sitar metal.

Duck Radio.

Off the ferry.

Fertile turtle.

Gravestone circles.

A decision was made.

Dancing with robots.

3D models of models.

The Confetti of Venice.

The $40K pizza delivery.

Norty Blues Episode 104.

The only TED Talk you need.

The history of Mah Nà Mah Nà.

It’s gonna be okay [via Bunkerville].

The Spotniks [via Everlasting Blört].

The Toronto Recursive History Project [h/t Jason F.].

“It’s a profound gas, Mr. Gunn“ [via Memo Of The Air].

Soho (Cafe Francais) 1955 [via The View From Lady Lake].

“I am a dwarf and I’m digging a hole. Diggy diggy hole, diggy diggy hole.”

[Top image found here.]

From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.

Saturday Matinee – Krissy Matthews (w/ Big Daddy Wilson & Alice Armstrong), Anna Scionti and Dave Hole

Krissy Matthews (NOR) backs Big Daddy Wilson (US) and Alice Armstrong (UK). Nice soul blues groove.

Anna Scionti won the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s (MBAS) Blues Performer of the Year 2023 (Solo/Duo Category) and represented the MBAS at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee in January 2024.

Australian guitar slinger slider Dave Hole is living proof that there’s a Mississippi Delta somwhere in Oz.

So many things to pay attention to these days, and watching the fireworks of the internet go off in unpredictably absurd directions makes me grin. Tomorrow is a good day to do the porch thing, see you when the time is right.

The .Gif Friday Post No. 893 – Boating While Beer, Poppin’ Poppa & The Automuncher

[Found  here, here and here; h/t Chuck C. for the muncher.]

Hair Dance

Ellen von Unwerth in Fashion Images de Mode No. 4 – Lisa Lovatt-Smith

[Found here.]

Marimoman

[Found here.]

A Moment of Reflection

[Found here.]

True Love

[Found here.]

Rhotacismic Hot Links

My Only Man, Helen Merrill & Piero Umiliani (1962) Smooth and sultry, from the 1962 Italian drama Smog. Umiliani wrote many scores for spaghetti westerns and sexploitation films, but was best remembered as the composer of Mah Nà Mah Nà.
Helen Merrill (born Jelena Ana Milcetic) was a jazz vocalist who recorded in the bebop era of the late 50s / early 60s. She traveled abroad for some years before returning to the U.S. in the 1970s.

Smog.

Read it.

Stencils.

The Niffle.

The Wackids.

This dog.
This dog, too.

Zoom fashion.

Things to sit on.

F-bomb generator.

F.I.’s misc. memes.
Memes for $6,000, Alex.

Norty Blues Episode 103.

“Andy is hot on a smell trail.”

Balloon ride [via Bunkerville].

Thank You Very Much (trailer).

Ruth’s mallets [via Memo Of The Air].

Venetian entry buzzers [via Everlasting Blört].

I Wanna Rock and Roll Until a Reasonable Hour.

Jayne Mansfield walks around her Hollywood home.

The Alafia River Beer Shed [via The View From Lady Lake].

[Top image: Helen Merrill in studio, unknown date.]

From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.

Saturday Matinee – Altered Five Blues Band, The Gabe Stillman Band (w/ Anson Funderberg), Vulfpeck, and Andrea De Luca

Award winning group from Milwaukee, Altered Five Blues Band features front man Jeff Taylor with Jeff Schroedl / guitar, Mark Solveson / bass, Alan Arber / drums and Steve Huebler / keyboard.

After graduating from Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Gabe Stillman formed his band  in 2015, and was a Blues Music Award nominee in the Best New Emerging Artist Album category in 2022.

Vulfpeck grooves with some speed bass. Formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2011, the group was founded by multi-instrumentalists Jack Stratton, Theo Katzman, Woody Goss, and bassist Joe Dart.

Johnny Winter once told Andrea De Luca, “Hey, you got it, man. Just keep on bluesin’.” Born in Roma, Italy, De Luca has been playing guitar since he was six years old, began touring at 14, and credits Jimi Hendrix for his inspiration.

Porch. Tomorrow. Sooner or later. Your call. See you then.