Japonae ac Terrae Jessonis Novissima Descriptio. Robt. Morden

"The Island of Japan, if it is an Isle, is not only one but many. for the coast, discontinued with many Inlets, stands like a broken wall,...".Text below map.

The delineation of this miniature map of Japan is loosely based on the di Martini map of the islands published by Blaeu in 1655. However, Morden does add his own interpretation of the east Asian coast with a speculative coastline between “Corea I.” or the island of Corea and the “Land of Iesso” a nebulous island or peninsula about which much had been speculated in the late 17th and early 18th century. On the eastern coast of Iesso are also the De Vries Straits, which separated mainland Asia from the mythical Company’s Land, whose westernmost tip can just be seen on the northwest corner.

Robert Morden (c. 1650 – 1703) was a bookseller, publisher, and mapmaker, globemaker and engraver. He was among the first successful English map makers.