Author: HASHIMOTO, GYOKURANSAI (or SADAHIDE, GOUNTEI):
Title: [JAPAN - WOODCUT MAP OF SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE]. [Title in Japanese]. Tokaido Gojusantsugi Shokei. (Map of the Tokaido Road). Part four (of seven). Tokyo, Toto Shorin, 1860.
Description: . Size of map: 207 x 24 cm. As issued in seven individual parts put together side by side, and with two text leaves, in original paper wrappers with title label pasted on the upper cover. All text is in Japanese. A woodcut printed "bird's-eye view map" in colour on paper of a section of the T›kaid› Road by Gountei Sadahide. An impressive panoramic view of the Shizuoka Prefecture, covering the section of the T›kaid› Road from the Abe river and Mariko station to the Ooi river and Shimada station. The map reflects meticulous research of the region's topography. Details of small villages, boats, people, travellers, trading stations, houses, etc are faithfully depicted and the topographical features such as mountains and rivers and places such as temples, bridges, and roads are individually labelled as was customary in earlier Japanese mesho-e paintings (pictures of famous places). Gountei (1807-73) was a pupil of Kunisada I, known primarily for his Yokohama ukiyo-e prints but was also one of the leading artists of "Ichiranzu", the panoramic view, at this time. He was selected as one of the artists to represent Japan at the Paris Exhibition of 1866, for which he received the Légion d'Honneur. The map is in perfect condition. See Ann Yonemura, "Yokohama Prints from Nineteenth-Century Japan", Smithsonian Institution, 1990.

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, map, woodcut, ukioye, tokaido road, travel, exploration


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