Cartographer / Cartógrafo

P.F.X. De Charlevoix

Title / Título

Carte de l'empire du Japon, dressée sur les auteurs japonois, sur les mémoires des portugais et des hollandois et en particulier sur ceux des RRPP. de la comp. de Jesus. 1735 (dated)

Year / Año

1736

Size / Tamaño

Image 41,5x54cm, page 44x56cm

Description / Descripción

This rare early map of Japann is centered on the Bay of Osaka, covering ranges from the northern islands of Japan (Ezo) to the Ryukyu Islands, which were vassals of Satsuma (Saxuma) Domain. Various towns, harbors, bays, provinces, mountains, and daimyo are noted, although many are speculative.

The map includes several inaccuracies. Shikoku Island (here identified as I. Xixoco) appears to be almost square with a deep inlet on its northern side, while Kyushu (Insel Ximo) is slanted to the east. On the island of Honshu (Insel Nippon), Aomori Prefecture is foreshortened while the Oki Islands appear exaggerated. Shimane prefecture and the Noto Peninsula are also distorted. The island of Hokkaido is referred to as the 'I. de Matsumay,' after the ruling Matsumae clan, which ruled a domain (han) in southern Hokkaido. The Isle de Fatsisio at bottom-right is Hachijō-jima, where political opponents of the shogun (not the emperor) and other criminals were exiled.

Bellin attributed this map to Jesuit and Portuguese sources, but upon deeper analysis it is derived more closely from the work of the German traveler and naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer (16511716). Having spent 2 years in Japan, Kaempfer was considered one of Europe's leading Japanologists. Charlevoix likely did not credit Kaempfer due to his distaste for Protestants and his deep connections to the Jesuit order.

Published in ´Histoire et description générale du Japon...´, P.F.X. De Charlevoix, Paris 1736, Gandouin et al.

Condition / Estado

Very good condition. Folds, as published. Clear print. Reverse side blank. Lateral and bottom margins short (as published) and extended with antique paper. Otherwise perfect.

Remarks / Comentarios

Please read the part about the condition of the map and study the pictures carefully before buying. I sell original maps, often several centuries old, and they therefore will have signs of age and use.

Por favor, estudie atentamente las fotos y el texto para conocer el estado del mapa antes de adquirirlo. Se trata de un mapa original que tiene unos siglos de antigüedad, razón por la que presenta ciertas marcas de uso.

Payment / Pago

With bank transfer to Spanish or Dutch bank account or with PayPal (the seller prefers a bank transfer).

Pago por transferencia bancaria a cuenta española u holandesa o con PayPal (el vendedor prefiere transferencia).

Shipment / Envío

In case you choose to have the item shipped without certified/insured mail, the seller will not be responsible for safe arrival of the shipment. If needed, a proof of shipment can be provided.

En caso de que usted no elija correo certificado, el vendedor no se hará responsable si su paquete no llega bien. Si lo desea, recibirá un comprobante de envío.

Return policy / devolución

In case you do not like the map, you can return it to the seller within 10 days after receiving it. You are responsible for the costs for return shipment/insurance. You will receive a full refund of the purchase amount (excl. shipping costs) after the seller has the map.

En caso de que al final no le guste el mapa, puede devolverlo en un plazo de 10 días tras recibirlo. Los gastos de envío (certificado) corren de su cargo. Cuando el vendedor reciba el mapa, le será devuelto el importe completo de la compra (excluidos los gastos de envío).