1926 Taisho 15 Japanese Panorama Map of the Tokaido Road, Japan (with Mt. Fuji)

An absolutely stunning and rare panoramic view of the Kanto region, Japan, including Mt. Fuji and the Tokaido, originally printed in 1926 (Taisho 15) and reprinted here in a fifth 1928 (Showa 3) edition. The view is somewhat unusual in that it takes the Tokaido itself as the main subject, rather than Tokyo or Mt. Fuji as is more common, although it only includes the eastern half of the road and Mt. Fuji is still the most prominent feature. Yokohama and Tokyo are at top-right. This view also includes two inset maps, one an overhead map of Mt. Fuji and the other a sightseeing map of Hakone.

The Tokaido Road

The Tokaido, literally meaning 'Eastern Sea Way,' was a national highway of sorts connecting the Kansai and Kanto regions of Japan, squeezing between mountains and the coast. It became an important economic engine and cultural symbol in the period of Tokugawa rule, particularly as the Tokugawa Shoguns forced daimyo to travel to Edo regularly (the sankin kotai system). The daimyo, accustomed to luxury and seeking to demonstrate their wealth, patronized an entire service industry that grew up along the road, including inns, teahouses, and restaurants. In particular, regular stopping points usually about one day's travel apart developed and became known as the 'fifty-three stations' of the Tokaido.

Aside from the political impact of the sankin kotai, the Tokaido aided the unification of Japan culturally and symbolically. Writers, poets, and ukiyo-e artists including Hiroshige (広重) depicted the road and the sites it passed, especially Mt. Fuji. Even the language became more standardized because people from different regions could travel more easily on the Tokaido and interact with those who spoke other dialects. In the postwar period, the Tokaido Shinkansen, the first modern high-speed rail line in Japan (and the world), basically followed the route of the old Tokaido.

Early Twentieth Century Japanese Bird's Eye Views

This uncommon type of map evolved from the exposure of traditional Japanese view-style cartography to western technology. Views like this began to appear in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea in the early 20th century. Generally speaking, such maps coincided with the development of railroad lines throughout the Japanese empire. It is a distinctive style full of artistic flourish that at the same time performs a practical function. This particular example is both relatively early and exceptionally beautiful. It was printed via a multi-color chromolithographic process with delicately shaded tones and an easily comprehensible intuitive design.

Publication History and Census

This map was originally printed on June 5, 1926 (Taisho 15) and distributed on June 5 the same year. This is a fifth edition published on 1928 (Showa 3). The author was Yukawa Shunji (湯川俊次), it was distributed by Ōba Toshirō (大庭俊郎) with Shiseidō Shoten (至誠堂書店) and it was printed by the Kanai Printing Co. (金井印刷所). We note just one institutional example, held by the National Diet Library. Scarce to the market.