Carte des Isles du Iapon Esquelles est remqarque' la Route tant par Mer que par Terre que tiennent les Hollandois pour se transporter de la Ville de Nagasaqui a Iedo demeure du Roy de ces mesmes Isles
[Map of the islands of Japan, in which is noted the route both by sea and by land that the Dutch take to transport themselves from the city of Nagasaki to the residence of the king of these same islands]
Paris: TAVERNIER, Jean-Baptiste, 1679
Size (neatline): 77.2 x 51.9 cm / 30.4 x 20.4 in
Size (sheet): 80.5 x 52.8 cm / 31.7 x 20.8 in
Technique: Copper engraving
Colour: Uncoloured
Verso: Blank
Condition: Very good
Rare, large-format first edition of Tavernier's map of Japan
Description
This early landmark map of Japan appeared in the present large format only in the 1679 first edition of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Recueil de plusieurs relations et traitez singuliers et curieux. The publication was an addition to his extensive and best-selling travel accounts Les Six Voyages, first published in 1676-77.
The map's layout of Japan is based on the 1617 map by Christopher Blancus and Inacio Moreira. It focuses on the main islands of Honshu, Shikoku (Tokoesi ou Xikoko), and Kyushu (Ximo), as well as surrounding smaller islands. Of Hokkaido, only the southern tip is shown, labelled as Terre de Iesso, i.e. a spelling variant of the island’s historical name of Ezo.
Rich in detail, the map features pictorial representation of relief, vegetation (including vineyards!), towns, and cities, with numerous placenames provided. Easily identifiable are Nagasaki (Nangasacqui), Osaka (Osacca), Kyoto (Miaco ou Meaco), Nagoya (Owaeri), and Tokyo (Iedo ou Iendo), to name but a few.
In addition to typical topographical information, Tavernier has provided a range of informative as well as curious annotations across the map, noting, for instance:
- the location of gold mines – near Sendai (Xendai);
- the location of silver mines – on the Izu Peninsula (Bandel) and in the present-day Shimane Prefecture (Iamaisoit);
- that “a great many salmon are caught” in Lake Biwa (not named on the map);
- that Okazaki (Ocasacqui) is “where the most beautiful women in the country are”; and
- that Mount Fuji (Fusino amma montagne) is “always covered in snow”.
Importantly, and as is emphasised in the map’s title, “the route both by sea and by land that the Dutch take to transport themselves from the city of Nagasaki to the residence of the king of these same islands”, i.e. the emperor in Tokyo, is indicated as well, using an uninterrupted dotted line.
Looking beyond Japan, along the western edge of the map, Korea is labelled as an island (Isle de Coray ou de Coreer), while the Korea Strait features as the Sea of Korea (Mer de Coreer). The Sea of Japan, or East Sea, is named Eastern Ocean (Ocean Oriental), while the Philippine Sea appears as South Sea (Mer du Sud).
In the seas, the map is adorned with two compasses roses and, at bottom left, a pair of sailing ships.
At bottom right, there is a distance scale.
Engraved by Durant, likely Jean-Louis.
A scarce and important 17th century map of Japan.
Publication
Recueil de plusieurs relations et traitez singuliers & curieux, de J.B. Tavernier, Chevalier, Baron d'Aubonne, qui n'ont point esté mis dans ses six premiers voyages [1679]
Rarity
The map is rather rare on the market as it appeared – in the large format offered here – only in the 1679 first edition of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Recueil de plusieurs relations et traitez singuliers et curieux. Later editions included a significantly smaller version of the map.
Condition
Very good.
Printed on two sheets of watermarked paper, now joined as one, with three vertical foldlines. Uncoloured. Narrow margins at top and bottom, cut to platemark at top. Minor staining at centre. Faint crease at top left. Short tear at bottom left (reaching 2 cm / 0.8 in into image) closed with tape on verso.
Item #: 03088
US $3,500.00