1922 Mori Map of Hiroshima, Japan

A scarce and highly detailed 1922 city plan or map of Hiroshima, Japan, drawn by Mori Jirō (森治郎) and published by Oobuchi Zenkichi. It presents the city in the midst of rapid expansion and industrialization, driven by industries related to the military which would later make the city a target of Allied bombing during the Second World War.

A Closer Look

Oriented towards the north-northeast, the city of Hiroshima is displayed with its historic castle complex, built in the late 16th century, sitting prominently towards top. Due to its location of Hiroshima Bay, which provided ready access to other parts of Japan as well as foreign markets, Hiroshima grew considerably as Japan's economy modernized following the Meiji Restoration. The city attracted both light industry (especially tobacco) and heavy industry, including military armaments, which led to its being targeted repeatedly by Allied bombers in the Second World War, ultimately with the first atomic bomb ever deployed in warfare. Large factories, including four dedicated to military use at right, are shaded red by Mori, as is the castle complex and a variety of government offices (jails, hospitals, military garrisons).

An extensive legend at bottom-left explains symbols used throughout, including those for topographic features, temples, shrines, administrative boundaries, roads, rail lines (streetcars and intercity rail), post offices, public telephones, and more. A large inset at bottom displays the northwestern shore of the island of Itsukushima (嚴島) in Hiroshima Bay, famous for its shrines, pagodas, and scenery, which are described by the text at right in the inset.

The verso includes information and photographs relating to the city, including text on its geography, history, transportation links, and famous attractions, such as temples, shrines, parks, and Hiroshima Castle. At bottom are several extensive lists of government offices, civic organizations, banks, schools, military and police outposts, hospitals and clinics, and the like, with their locations (neighborhood) noted.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Mori Jirō (森治郎), and was printed and published by Oobuchi Zenkichi of Shinshindō, based in Osaka, in January 1922 (Taishō 11). It is number 6 in a series of maps of 'imperial cities' (帝國都會地圖) published by Oobuchi in the early 1920s. It is quite rare; an earlier edition of the map from 1919 is held by the National Diet Library, while the present edition is only known to be held by the Nishio City Iwase Bunko (西尾市岩瀬文庫).