"L'Empire du Japon"(The Empire of Japan) is a significant historical map published in1750byGilles Robert de Vaugondy(often referred to as "Le Sieur Robert"), the Ordinary Geographer to the King of France.
This map is highly regarded for its level of detail and its portrayal of Japan's political organisation during the Edo period.
The full Title: "L'Empire du Japon, divisé en sept principales parties, et subdivisé en soixante et six Royaumes" (The Empire of Japan, divided into seven main parts, and subdivided into sixty-six Kingdoms).
Created by Gilles Robert de Vaugondy and his son, Didier Robert de Vaugondy, it
depicts the four main islands of Japan and includes the Korean Peninsula. The body of water between them is notably labeled as the "Sea of Korea" (Mer de Corée).
The map reflects the feudal administrative structure of the time, categorising the country into seven major provinces and sixty-six kingdoms (districts).
In 1750, Japan was under the rule of theTokugawa Shogunate. The country was largely closed to the West due to theSakoku(isolationist) policy. Mapmakers like Vaugondy relied heavily on information brought back by the Dutch—the only Europeans allowed to trade with Japan—to create these detailed renderings. While theEmperorremained a symbolic figure in Kyoto, theShogunheld the actual political power in Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
