Visual Representation of Japan in the Abraham Ortelius Theatrum Orbis Terrarum
Conférence de Ekaterina SIMONOVA (Moscow State University, Institute of Asian and African Studies / CRJ) dans le cadre du séminaire collectif du Centre Japon.
First published in 1570, Abraham Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is commonly considered the first modern atlas. Although the first separate map of Japan appeared only in the 1595 edition of the atlas, the country was depicted on the maps of the world or regions starting with the first edition.
Japan first became known to the Europeans at the close of the 13th century through the account of Marco Polo who described it as a single island. Later, the Europeans mapping East Asia seemed to have use the representation of Japan from Chinese maps, with the background of the earliest depictions of the archipelago as a single island descending from them. A turning point in representation of Japan came with the Portuguese, who maintained the closest connections with the island kingdom in the early period of European acquaintance with it.This presentation outlines direct or indirect usage of East Asian sources of the visual representation of Japan in the European maps and to reveal characteristic features of the archipelago’s representation when European mapmakers got an opportunity to be acquainted with Japanese maps and measure the islands directly; such was the case of maps made by Ignacio Moreira (1538/39-?), Luis Teixeira (1564-1604).
Teixeira’s map of Japan (Japoniae Insvlae Descriptio) represents a compilation of Portuguese and Japanese information in which the latter dominates, primarily that obtained in Gyogi-type maps.
The presentation demonstrates how Chinese and Japanese cartographical sources were used in Japan’s representation in the Ortelius Atlas Maps (which include maps of the world, Asia, Tartaria, East Indies, China, Pacific Ocean and a single map of Japan). One more purpose is to demonstrate the cross–influence, interdependence among modern Far Eastern and Western cartographies in mapping Japan.
Jeudi 17 mars 2016 de 13h à 15h
Salle 7, 105 boulevard Raspail 75006 Paris
OpenEdition vous propose de citer ce billet de la manière suivante :
Yasuko D'Hulst (14 mars 2016). Visual Representation of Japan in the Abraham Ortelius Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Carnets du Centre Japon. Consulté le 19 février 2025 à l’adresse https://doi.org/10.58079/m9rh