Large Format Photo of 1896 Flood in Kobe Large format albumen photo
[Japan] Scarce, uncoloured photo showing the 1896 flood in Kobe that caused the Minatogawa River to burst its banks and also a large-scale landslide on Mount Rokko. The disaster resulted in 44 deaths and 160 houses being washed away or destroyed. 'Kobe 1896' written in pencil on rear. Interestingly, the boy in the foreground appears to be smiling. This helps to confirm Western accounts of fires and earthquakes in Yokohama etc. that have occurred since the 1860s where the writer mentions that Japanese people would still laugh and smile about disasters with a, 'There's nothing we can do about it', kind of way.
Photographer unidentified. 1896.
26.5 x 20.8cm.
In very good condition. Mounted on stiff card. Almost no age wear. p36061637
