Map of Japan in Provinces in time of Iyeyasu with Inset of Tokaido & Nakasendo to illustrate the Sekigahara Campaign
Cartographic print, historical map on paper • Likely produced for a British or American historical text such as James Murdoch's 'A History of Japan' or Walter Dickson's works
Style & Movement
Victorian Cartography / Historical Revisionist Illustration
Medium & Technique
Color lithograph or steel engraving with hand-colored highlights; likely an illustration from a late 19th-century historical publication
Creation Period
Late 19th Century (circa 1890-1900)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 18 inches; landscape format
Subject Description
A map of the Japanese archipelago divided into feudal provinces as they existed during the era of Tokugawa Ieyasu. It features a detailed inset map focusing on the central routes (Tokaido and Nakasendo) critical to the Battle of Sekigahara (1600). The map uses Western toponyms alongside transliterated Japanese province names.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible vertical fold line suggesting it was originally bound into a book
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Standard academic or personal library provenance; typical of plates removed from deceased estates or historical archives
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a Western academic representation of Japanese history during the Meiji period's fascination with the Edo transition. It reflects the era's meticulous effort to transcribe Eastern political history for Western audiences.
Notable Features
Features an inset specifically detailing the Sekigahara Campaign, use of multi-colored provincial borders, and distinctive 19th-century Romanization of Japanese names (e.g., 'Iyeyasu' instead of 'Ieyasu')
Condition Issues
Visible center vertical fold line, slight yellowing expected with age (toning), minor corner wear, and potential micro-tears at the hinge area
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free matting, UV-protective glazing, and climate-controlled storage to prevent further paper oxidation and foxing