Overcoming a Natural Disaster

In 1855, the Ansei Earthquake struck Edo -- as Tokyo was then known -- causing horrific damage. Ukiyo-e artwork produced in the aftermath shows festivals, and busy shopping streets. University professor Miyata Hiroaki helps us decipher the clues in these images. We learn about the effect of the earthquake, the ways people coped, and the differences of opinion regarding the recovery. Analyzing these woodblock prints also offers hints on how to face modern-day issues.