"L'Empire du Japon, Divise en Sept Principales Parties, et Subdivise en Soixante et Six Royaumes", Robert de Vaugondy, Gilles

Large, finely engraved map of Japan with a distinctively French style title cartouche containing two small landscapes. The map draws heavily on the previous work of Bellin, but includes a number of improvements to Terre d'Yedso (Hokkaido) similar to the manuscripts of Engelbert Kaempfer. The fictitious island of Matsumae is removed and now Matsaki is shown as a part of Yedso. The provinces are clearly outlined and there are many place names. The eastern part of the Korean peninsula is also shown with a good amount of detail. The sea between Korea and Japan is named both the Mer de Coree and the Mer du Japon reflecting a compromise to the long-standing dispute over the name of this sea. This great map was to influence the cartography of Japan into the 19th century. This is the second state with a border around the distance scales, published circa 1753.

References: Hubbard #101; Walter plate #86; Pedley #410.

Condition: A

On a thick sheet of watermarked paper with a hint of toning along the centerfold and a few printer's creases. There are minor paper repairs in the far blank margins, not affecting the map.