Description
One of the earliest Western maps of Japan. The map is beautifully engraved, with Hondius’s fine calligraphic work prominently displayed. The East China Sea is prowled by a sea monster. The seas are sailed by both a European-style sailing ship and a Japanese craft.
It shows one of the greatest cartographic myth with Korea depicted as an island. But author expressing his doubts in the notes that Korea could be also a part of the mainland.
Considered a significant milestone in Japanese cartography, this map served as the standard representation of the region until Martini’s map of 1655.
Author — Jodocus Hondius.
