Focusing on one landmark catastrophic event in the history of an emerging modern nation-the Great Kant? Earthquake that devastated Tokyo and surrounding areas in 1923-this fascinating volume examines the history of the visual production of the disaster. The Kant? earthquake triggered cultural responses that ran the gamut from voyeuristic and macabre thrill to the romantic sublime, media spectacle to sacred space, mournful commemoration to emancipatory euphoria, and national solidarity to racist vigilantism and sociopolitical critique. Looking at photography, cinema, painting, postcards, sketch.