Of Japan

Miniature map of Japan by one of the leading map makers of late 17th century England. The shape of this miniature map of Japan is loosely based on the di Martini map of the islands published by Blaeu in 1655. However, Morden does add his own interpretation of the east Asian coast with a speculative coastline between “Corea I.” or the island of Corea and the “Land of Iesso” a nebulous island or peninsula about which much had been speculated in the late 17th and early 18th century. It is now generally believed to be a reference to Hokkaido. On the eastern coast of Iesso are also the De Vries Straits, which separated mainland Asia from the mythical Company’s Land, whose westernmost tip can just bee seen on the northwest corner of the map.

This is the last edition of this map, issued c.1700, with a blank verso and no text below the map. Original colour.

[Hubbard 45] [SEAS5310]