“Imperium Japonicum per Regiones Digestum” - Reiner and Joshua Ottens - circa 1740

A map based on Japanese sources with inset of Nagasaki - the main centre for trade with the Dutch

“Imperium Japonicum per Regiones Digestum Sex et Sexaginta atque ex Ipsorum Japonensium Mappis Descriptum ad Hadriano Relando”

Reiner and Joshua Ottens – Adrien Reland

circa 1740

58 x 49cm approx.

Original margins – Good Impression – Modern colour

This map by the Ottens brothers is one of the first European maps to use Japanese sources. It is based on the cartography of Adrien Reland, who had obtained Japanese maps and background information from the Dutch VOC. The map shows the sixty-six provinces and is the first western map to use Japanese characters to describe place names. The map was first issued in 1715 by Reland, before the plates were purchased by the Ottens brothers who issued this map.

A separate inset shows the important trading port of Nagasaki and the island of Dejima – which was used for exclusive trade with the Dutch from 1641 – 1854. Several elaborate cartouches are shown with Pagodas, Japanese Merchants and sea vessels (junks).

This is an important and beautiful map of Japan with a wealth of details both visual and cartographic.