In April 2016 CE, a series of powerful earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.0 mainshock, struck the Kumamoto region of Japan. The quakes caused widespread destruction and loss of life. This was one of the most significant seismic events in Japan in recent years.

The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes inspired a wave of Japanese poetry and literature that explored the trauma and resilience of the survivors. The event is a significant theme in contemporary Japanese literature, where it is used to reflect on the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and its cultural identity. The earthquake is a key event in the history of Japanese literature, often used as a symbol of suffering and hope.