Japanese Maps : Dainihon kairozu

Japanese Maps

<p style='text-align: justify;'> 4 wood-block printed, black and white charts (4 charts/bibliographical volumes in 2 physical volumes, accordion-folded), in Japanese, depicting Japan's coastal sea routes. The title is reported in a mounted cover label, on both physical volumes, as well as on an envelope, where it appears with the subtitle "Kaisen jōsuji" (廻船乗筋 On board of small vessels). The first physical volume, subtitled "Tōnan" (東南 South-East) includes the following charts/bibliographical volumes: 1. "Tōkairo no zu" (東海路之圖 Chart of the Eastern sea routes), covering the Pacific coast from Matsumae in the North to Shinagawa near the city of Edo; 2. "Nanyō minato hōgaku no zu" (南洋湊方角之圖 Chart of the ports in the four directions of the South Seas), covering the Pacific coast from Edo to Osaka. The second physical volume, subtitled "Seihoku" (西北 North-West), includes the following charts/bibliographical volumes: 3. "Seikairo no zu" (西海路之圖 Chart of the Western sea routes), covering the Sea of Japan coast from Osaka to Nagasaki; 4. "Hokkai minato hōgaku no zu" (北海湊方角之圖 Chart of the ports in the four directions of the North Seas), covering the Sea of Japan coast from Shimonoseki to Matsumae.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The second chart is said to be based on records collected by the sailor Anzenmaru Saikichi in Hōreki 2 (1752). The fourth chart is said to be based on the travels of Hinoyasen Aisenmaru, as recorded by Sawata Roshō in Meiwa 4 (1767). The colophon at the end of the second physical volume reports that the copyright was purchased in Tenpō 5 (1834) and that the date of publication was Tenpō 13 (1842); it also reports the places of publication and names of publishers: Akitaya Taemon and two others in Ōsaka and Suharaya Mohē and three others in Edo. The back of the envelope reports a different set of places of publications and publishers: Kawachiya Kihē in Ōsaka, Takehara Kōbē and Hiranoya Mohē in Kyoto and Suharaya Mohē and two other publishers in Edo (possibly, the envelope is not original, or includes updated information with respect to the colophon). Near the title on the envelope, the sailor Junpūmaru Daikichi is reported as author.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The charts are coupled with text sections explaining tides, describing ports and topographical features of the coast, and naming famous places along the routes. On the charts, place names appear along the coast. The charts are heavily pictorial, and include representations of castle towns and other notable topographical elements, such as Mount Fuji. They emphasize the presence of ships and vessels, reflecting the bustling activity on the sea routes. The first bibliographical volume, in the second chart, has 4 extensions. Cover description: orange paper and flexible cover board; in the front, mounted cover title, in Japanese, text black on yellow labels; in the back, mounted bookplate of Biblioteca Lindesiana (at the base of the bookplate in pencil is the notation: "15/E"). Dutch inscription on cover: 'Seemans wegweiser von Matsmay nach Nagasaki'. </p>


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