Subevents of the 1946 Nankai earthquake (Mjma8.0) were distinguished from seismograms recorded on smoked papers with strong motion seismograms (T0=6s, amplification=2) and seismological data of Japan Meteorological Agency. Location and origin time of each subevent were roughly estimated from a hypocenter determination with phase readings of P and S waves for the subevent. Rupture of the Nankai earthquake started at a point southward about 50km off Cape Shionomisaki (first subevent). The rupture propagated in the NNW direction with a rupture velocity of 1.9 km/s and a second subevent that grew to class M8 started after about 16 sec from the initiation of the first subevent. Then the rupture propagated westward, and third subevent of M8 occurred around Tosa Bay, located about 200 km from the second event, about 53 sec after the initiation of the second event. Seismic waves were excited near Tosa Bay during the 1946 Nankai earthquake.
