1850
1853
Two hand-drawn world maps in Japan showing a striking comparison of the country’s impression of its place in the world during its last years as a “closed country” (circa 1850) and its first year open to foreign trade following the arrival of American Commodore Matthew Perry (circa 1853).
Sakoku, a Japanese policy effective from 1640 through 1853 prohibited both Japanese leaving the country and foreigners entering. However even through the sakoku era, Japan’s early world map proves it was not entirely cut off from outside knowledge, showing a general concept of the world’s geography. Nevertheless flawed, Japan did allow contacts with a handful of privileged partners such as the Dutch which became Japan’s main source of western scientific knowledge.
Images courtesy of Link
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Author: Chris Date: March 8th, 2010 Tags: America, Asia (North), Culture, Technology |
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