On March 2, 1933, a powerful earthquake, estimated at magnitude 8.4, struck the Sanriku coast of Japan, triggering a massive tsunami that devastated coastal communities. The tsunami, which reached heights of over 20 meters, killed nearly 3,000 people and destroyed thousands of homes. This event was one of the most destructive tsunamis in Japanese history and led to significant improvements in tsunami warning systems and coastal defenses. The disaster had a profound impact on the Japanese people, reinforcing their awareness of the constant threat of natural disasters.

The 1933 Sanriku tsunami inspired a great deal of Japanese poetry and prose, with poets capturing the terror and loss of the event in tanka and haiku. The disaster became a part of the Japanese literary tradition of 'disaster literature,' where authors explore the relationship between humans and nature. The event is a recurring theme in modern Japanese poetry, serving as a powerful symbol of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.