Japan Chatelain/Guedeville, 1720, L'Empire du Japon, tiré des Cartes des Japonnois

Fine example of Henri Chatelain's early 18th century edition of Adrien Reland's important map of Japan. One of the finest large-scale early maps of Japan.

Reland's map of Japan represents a radical departure from prior European maps of Japan and is the first map printed in Japan to use Sino-Japanese characters. Instead of following prior European maps and geographical sources, Reland utilized Japanese maps, most notably a map from the library or Benjamin Dutry, a former director of the Dutch VOC (East India Company). In some respects, this represented a tremendous leap forward in the geographical depiction of Japan, such as in the treatment of Kyushu and in naming the 66 provinces.

The map first appeared in 1715 in volume 3 of Jean Frederic Benard's Recuiel de voiages. Chatelain copied Reland's map in 1719 for his Atlas Historique, although there are a few translation errors from the original. It was thereafter reissued by Reland and Wilehm Broedelet in a larger format in 1715, for inclusion in folio atlases. The plates from the enlarged edition were purchased by Joachim Ottens in about 1720 and thereafter reissued under his name and later the names of his sons, Josua and Reiner.

Large inset of the area around Nagasaki and an ornate dedication cartouche, with about 20 coats of arms.Published in 1720 in Amsterdam by Chatelain in his monumental ´Atlas Historique….´, volume V.

A highly important and very collectable map of Japan

Excellent condition. Thick paper.

Image 14.4x17.2 inch (37x44cm), Sheet 17.6x20.7 inch (45x53cm)