1879 Iwakichi Hayami Wall Map of the World in Hemispheres

This is an enormous Meiji 9 or 1876 Japanese double hemisphere world map set by Iwakichi Hayami.

A Closer Look

Composed of two gigantic panels, each measuring 75 x 62 inches, this map covers the entire world on a hemispherical projection. The left side focuses on the Western Hemisphere, cover from Greenland to Antarctica. The countries of the Americas are highlighted with major cities and riverways identified. The right side details the Eastern Hemisphere including Africa, Europe, Asia, Indochina, the East Indies, and Australia. Japan is highlighted in bright red. Some maritime routes and regional boundaries are noted.

Hayami offers a very Japanese worldview superimposed upon an, at least in theory, somewhat modern world map. Note, nonetheless, how some places are diminished and other exaggerated in size to reflect not only their importance to Japan, but also Japan's perspective regarding its own position on the world stage. Korea and China, for example appear disproportionally small when compared to Japan. Hawaii, by contrast is proportionally enormous reflecting perceived strategic importance and long-standing Japanese interest the Pacific archipelago. Most countries are illustrated as a block, with no internal states or divisions noted. The notable difference is Australia, another area of Japanese interest, which has here been divided into its constituent states.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Iwakichi Hayami and published in Japan by Saikichi Ōshima.