M004 - Namazu 鯰

Menuki with the Namazu catfish motif.鯰

Menuki Omote: 34mm length, 11.5mm width, 4mm height

Menuki Ura: 32mm length, 10mm width, 4mm height

The Namazu, a catfish, is in Japanese symbolism the cause of earthquakes throughout Japan.
It is attributed this ability because catfish sometimes move in the hours preceding earthquakes.
In Japanese legends, it is nicknamed O-Namazu 大鯰.
Although the O-Namazu is held responsible for catastrophic earthquakes, it is also hailed as 'Yo-Naoshi Daimyōjin', the god "rectifier of the world".
Thus causing disorder, it regulates the human world by destabilizing the wealthy classes and redistributing wealth.
It is a kind of "avenger of social injustice", highly respected by the poor classes and feared by the rich and powerful.
It is a symbol of opportunity, renewal, good fortune and prosperity.