1874 Sudo Manuscript Map of the Tribes of Southern Taiwan / Formosa
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[Map of the Southern Part of Taiwan]
The most enigmatic map of the Sudo series illustrating the aboriginal tribes of Southern Taiwan.
- Digital Map Information
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- File Size: 18.35 MB
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The most enigmatic map of the Sudo series illustrating the aboriginal tribes of Southern Taiwan.
Part of Sudo Collection. Not sold Separately: Click here for full collection.This is by far the most enigmatic and elusive of the Sudo 1874 series. The map is laid down on the framework established by the previous map, which is based upon the American Counsel to Qing Formosa, William (Guillaum) Joseph Émile Le Gendre's (1830 - 1899) influential his 1872 Southern Formosa. This, however, is where resemblances to Le Gendre's 1872 work end. The remainder of the work is completed in a wholly Japanese style, with topography rendered pictorially and place names embraced in yellow cartouches. The map breaks down the tribal peoples of Southern Taiwan and is likely based upon a combination of Le Gendre's 1868 'Rover Map' (which was prepared to illustrate the failed American 1868 Punitive Expedition to the same area) and new Japanese reconnaissance compiled under the orders of Saigō Tsugumichi. That the map mentions the Battle of Stone Gate (May 22, 1874), the only significant military engagement during of the Taiwan Punitive Expedition, is a strong indication that it must have been compiled from Japanese information assembled after the invasion.
Cartographer
Sudo Katsuzō (湏藤 / 湏藤勝三; c. 1848 - c. 1874) was a Japanese cartographer of Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県 / Tochigi-ken), Japan. Sudo was part of an 1874 mission to Taiwan and subsequently to the mainland of China. As part of this expedition, he produced a series of maps detailing Taiwan and some major cities in Fujian, including Fuzhou and Xiamen. The quality and execution of the maps suggest that he was experienced in both western and Japanese cartographic styles, indicating that he may have had training as a military engineer. Sudo apparently died of an unknown illness shortly after the maps were made, at just 26, so it is not surprising that little is recorded regarding his history. His maps were subsequently collected by his brother and remained in the family until recently. Further Details...
Condition
Very good. On thin Japanese paper. Manuscript.