Hondius' Map of China, Korea, and Japan, "China", Mercator/Hondius

Subject: China, Korea & Japan
Period: 1619 (published)
Publication: Gerardi Mercatoris - Atlas sive Cosmographicae
Color: Hand Color
Size: 13.5 x 18.3

Besides China, this map depicts Korea as an elongated island and Japan on the Ortelius-Teixeira model. The map contains rudimentary geographical information, as there was very little actually known of the region during the early part of the seventeenth century. The interior of China is dominated by several large lakes, and the mythical Chiamai Lacus forms the headwaters of five large rivers in northeastern India. The northwest coastline of America appears in the upper right corner with a notation that refers to the Tartar hordes that inhabit the region. The map is beautifully engraved with a moiré patterned sea and richly embellished with strapwork cartouches, a deer, a fox, a sea monster, a European and a Japanese ship, and a unique wind-powered wagon. In one cartouche, a scene depicts the Japanese persecution of a Christian missionary, probably a reference to the martyrdoms in Nagasaki in 1597. French text on verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #8410:1A.
Condition: A
A superb impression on a clean, bright sheet with professional repairs to a couple of minor separations along the centerfold and a printer's crease at bottom left.