Rikuu earthquake of 1896, which was an inland earthquake with magnitude 7.2, caused 209 fatalities and 5792 collapsed houses in Akita and Iwate prefectures. The authors have been continuing literature surveys on this disaster from damage distribution to recovery processes. We newly found archived photograph albums which were published just after the earthquake. In this study, a literature survey on photographic materials was performed and gathered materials were classified and listed in a table referring articles appeared in the reconnaissance reports and newspapers at that time. Typical disaster situations were discussed through these photographs.
