The Mino–Owari earthquake was a seismic event of monumental scale that occurred in central Japan, primarily impacting the Gifu and Aichi Prefectures. It registered a magnitude of 8.0, marking it as the largest inland earthquake in the country’s history. The quake struck on the evening of October 28, 1891, at around 8:13 PM, resulting in widespread destruction. Urban and rural areas faced catastrophic damage, with entire neighborhoods flattened and infrastructures like bridges and roads rendered unusable.

The aftermath was dire, with over 7,000 recorded fatalities and an estimated 35,000 people left without homes. Not only did the natural disaster lead to loss of life, but it also highlighted the vulnerability of buildings to seismic activity, prompting discussions about construction practices in an earthquake-prone region. As a result, seismic building codes began to be reconsidered and improved in the following years to minimize damage from future earthquakes.

The earthquake’s effects were felt far beyond the worst-hit areas, with reports of tremors reaching cities as far away as Tokyo and Osaka. The psychological impact on the population was significant, as communities endeavored to rebuild during a period of economic transition in Japan, which was emerging from centuries of isolation. Local governance and community solidarity became essential in the recovery process, shaping social policies in the ensuing decades.