Regni Japoniae Nova Mappa Geographica, ex indigenarum observationibus delineata ab Engelberto Kaempfero recusa et emendata

Superb map of Japan based on information derived from the most important European influence on the early mapping of Japan, Engelbert Kaempfer.

Kaempfer was born at Westphalia in 1651 and after his formal studies, he applied himself to the study of natural sciences Konigsberg in Russia and Upsla Sweden. In 1689 he arrived in Batavia and after a short stay he left for Japan in May 1690, having been appointed physician to the embassy which the Dutch East India Company sent once a year the shogun’s court in Edo. He stayed in Japan until November 1792 and on his return his important two volume History of Japan was published which comprised a detailed study of the country, flora, fauna and the geography.

Seutter renders distorted coastline and withe the islands divided into political divisions. At top left is a sumptuous title cartouche in Rococo style frame surrounded with a large cartouche Japanese and Europeans, one holding a copy of the same map. At the lower right are a number of Japanese designs including those of the, ‘Armes des Princes Japonnois’.

Reference: Cortazzi p.49, ill. 78, Walter OAG 90, ill. 80

From, Seutter’s, Atlas novus : sive tabulae geographicae totius orbis faciem, partes, imperia, regna et provincias exhibentes, exactissima cura iuzta recentissimas observation.