Shinsei Yochi Zenzu (Newly-Produced Map of the Earth)

US$1,860.00

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Shinsei Yochi Zenzu [Newly-Produced Map of the Earth]

Mitsukuri, Shōgo [created by]; Ōtsuki, Bankei [preface by].

[Japan: s.n.], Kōka Gannen [1844].

A woodblock-printed world map in handscroll format produced by the scholar and geographer Mitsukuri Shōgo (1821-1847). In the explanatory panel at left, Shōgo notes that the map was derived from an 1835 French map; however, Jeongbo Shim has noted that "the shape and geographical features of the map are identical to those of the government-published Shintei bankoku zenzu (Newly Revised Map of the World)" (The History of the East Sea and the Sea of Japan: Origin of Geographical Names, Conflicts and Solutions (Switzerland: Springer, 2022), p. 49). Shim asserts that the map is "remarkable in that political divisions were precisely delineated, and dependent territory of a home government was clearly marked using katakana". Shōgo is also known as the author of the widely read Konyozushiki (An Overview of the Geography of the World). A detailed late Edo-period world map with clearly delineated political boundaries, finished with hand-colouring.

Three woodblock-printed sheets mounted as a hand-scroll, complete. Losses and fraying to silk wrappers. Lacks original daisen panel. Binding ribbon presumed non-original. Wormholes repaired with washi mounting. Small stains to upper margin. Colours hand-applied. Ex-ownership stamp to space between hemispheres. Last text column wormholed. 34.5 x 140.8 cm when unfurled.

Shinsei Yochi Zenzu (Newly-Produced Map of the Earth)
Price: $1,860.00 (USD)