Abraham Ortelius – Japan, 1595 Antique world maps HQ

This is a historical map of Japan, titled IAPONIAE INSVLAE DESCRIPTIO, created by Abraham Ortelius in 1595. The map is richly detailed, depicting the main islands of Japan and surrounding regions, including Korea.

What I see:

• Geography: The map shows the archipelago of Japan as a series of islands, with varying colors for different islands (e.g., yellow for the main island of Honshu, pink for Korea). The surrounding seas are a speckled gray, with smaller islands scattered throughout.
• Place Names: Numerous cities and regions are labeled in Latin and what appears to be a transcription of local names, such as IAPONIA, COREA INSVLA, TOXSA, and various city names like Nangasaqui and Iedo.
• Illustrations: Several sailing ships with sails are depicted in the sea, representing maritime activity and exploration of the era.
• Decorative Elements: The map features ornate cartouches and borders. The title cartouche is elaborate, with scrolling foliage and a mythological head. A scale bar at the bottom, labeled Scala milliarium Acquinos tialium, indicates distances in Roman miles.
• Orientation: Cardinal directions are marked, with OCCIDENS (West) on the left, ORIENS (East) on the right, and MERIDIES (South) at the bottom. Septentrio (North) is implied at the top.
• Additional Text: Latin text in the upper right corner indicates Cum Imperatorio, Regio, et Brabantie privilegio decennali. 1505. This likely refers to a ten-year privilege granted by imperial authority and royalty, possibly related to printing or publishing.

Subtexts:

• European Exploration and Knowledge: This map is a product of the Age of Discovery. It represents the burgeoning European understanding of East Asia, compiled from accounts of travelers, merchants, and missionaries. Ortelius, as a renowned cartographer, was synthesizing existing geographical knowledge.
• Imperial Ambition and Colonialism: The phrase Cum Imperatorio, Regio, et Brabantie privilegio suggests a connection to European imperial powers and their efforts to control trade and information. The privilege implies an acknowledgment of authority and a desire to secure commercial or intellectual rights related to the maps production.
• Cultural Exchange and Representation: The map shows how Japan was perceived by Europeans at the time. The accuracy of the geography is relative to the available information, and the depiction reflects both factual observations and potential misconceptions or interpretations based on limited contact. The stylized representation of settlements and the presence of ships highlight the interaction between European and Japanese worlds.
• The Dawn of Modern Cartography: Orteliuss atlas, where this map likely appeared, was a landmark in the development of modern cartography. It standardized map-making and made geographical knowledge more accessible, contributing to a more systematic worldview.
• Historical Record: The map serves as a valuable historical document, offering insights into the political, economic, and cultural landscape of the late 16th century, as well as the evolution of cartographic techniques and the evolving European perception of Japan.