Iaponia

Coloured map of Japan - Korea. Printed in Amsterdam by Henricus Hondius in 1628.

Reference 12778

Description

A beautiful example of Hondius' map of Japan and Korea from the early 17th century. It shows one of the greatest cartographic myth with Korea depicted as an island. But Hondius expressing his doubts in the notes that Korea could be also a part of the mainland. Regarded as one of the earliest and finest Dutch maps of the area, it was first published in 1606. The map draws upon the Ortelius-Teixeira map of 1595 and depicts Korea as an island, along with the three main islands of Japan and a portion of China.

The map features decorative elements such as sea monsters, a Japanese junk, and a Dutch galleon. It can be distinguished from the later Janssonius edition, which replaces the junk with a European vessel.

Considered a significant milestone in Japanese cartography, this map served as the standard representation of the region until Martini's map of 1655.

Details

Cartographer	Jodocus Hondius
Title	Iaponia
Publisher, Year	Henricus Hondius, Amsterdam, 1628
Plate Size	34.0 x 44.2 cm (13.4 x 17.4 inches)
Sheet Size	47.9 x 56.7 cm (18.9 x 22.3 inches)
Reference	Van der Krogt, P.: Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, 8450:1A.1.

Condition

Excellent condition.

Cartographer

Jodocus Hondius was born 1563 in Wakken (West Flanders). He became a globe maker and map engraver. In 1593 he set up his business in Amsterdam after he spent several years in London. He was one of the most important engravers of his time and engraved maps for van den Keere, Waghenaer and Speed. Hondius bought the plates of Mercator in 1604, added around 40 maps and published the expanded Mercator-Atlas first 1606 still under Mercator's name. After his death 1612 in Amsterdam, the business was carried out by his sons Jodocus II and Henricus.

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Jodocus Hondius: Iaponia.

Coloured map of Japan - Korea. Printed in Amsterdam by Henricus Hondius in 1628.

Japan - Korea - Hondius, Jodocus - Iaponia