Seutter's Decorative Map of Japan Based on Kaempfer

"Regni Japoniae Nova Mappa Geographica, ex Indigenarum Observationibus Delineata ab Engelberto Kaempfero Recusa et Emendata", Seutter/Lotter

This beautifully engraved and colored map owes its cartography to Kaempfer's map from his important History of Japan (Walter #77), which in turn was based on his travels in the late 17th century and his manuscript map, drawn sometime prior to 1716. The map presents a distorted outline for the island of Japan with numerous political divisions delineated and named. Below the map are numerous Japanese symbols including those of the army of Japan's "Prince." The entire upper left quadrant is filled with a spectacular title cartouche showing a court scene with visiting Europeans, a map, and other attendants. Among the scene is an illustration of Kaempfer himself etching his map of Japan. Engraved by Tobias Conrad Lotter and published from Augsburg.

References: Walter #80.

Condition: B+

A dark impression with contemporary color in the map and later color in the cartouche, on a bright sheet with some errant spots of color at left and very faint soiling. There is a small hole in the title that has been professionally repaired with a minute amount of the image replaced in facsimile.