One of the factors behind the issuing of many namazu-e was that the earthquake occurred just before a canceled November performance of kabuki which was to open the year's kabuki season was canceled and this caused damage to publishers who expected income from shibai-e (drawing kabuki as subject matter).
歌舞伎の正月とされる11月を前に地震が発生し興行が中止となったことも、芝居絵による収入を当てにしていた版元には打撃であり、鯰絵が大量に発行された背景の一つと考えられている。