OEDO DAI E OEZU:GREAT ILLUSTRATED MAP OF EDO IN THE BUNSEI PERIOD.

Edo 1828, Suharaya. Blue stiff blue paper covers, color wood block printed, excellent example, distance chart, key to the famous places & symbols, folds down to 16 x 23.4 cm., opens to 87 x 106 cm., solid impression. * RARE FIRST EDITION * . *** **** *** . . GRAND SCALE COLOR WOODBLOCK PRINTED MAP OF EDO . . . AN 1828 DATED EXAMPLE . . * Entirely woodblock printed on hand-made Washi [mulberry fiber] paper, nicely printed in five colors. . This is a grand-size, a superb view of old Edo [Tokyo]. . The central and most striking place is the Edo Castle located in the center, with a large protective moat. . This map documents the location of Hatamoto, the Shogun's most loyal supporters The Hatamoto are living in places surrounding the Edo Castle with the large moat. Shows their Mon [family crest]. . This is a very detailed map showing the names of family business & residents, names of areas, all ponds, and waterways, names of the streets, family Zashiki or Daimyo mansions, Kamon [family crests]. . With a distance chart from Shinagawa [Edo] to the provincial destinations, citing some 66 cities in all, shown in 'Li' or Japanese miles. With red-circled four direction symbols. . With a list of famous places, products and sellers, shops, medical [Chinese] herbs, famous flowers, fruit & trees &c. . With a date colophon at the left margin, shows place, publisher as well.. . *** This is a handsome pictorial map of Edo, showing the bay with three sailing ships moving northward. Rivers shown in blue, streets in yellow streets, green parks, shrines, red highlights and famous places. . A stunning work, suitable for wall display. . *** CONDITION: . The work is bound in the original paper wrappers & title slip. There is some of the usual wear to the covers commensurate with an item over 193 years old. It is in much better than the average. The work is printed on a heaver than usual Washi [handmade] mulberry fiber paper. . There a few of the usual minor but mended tears in some of the four-way folded corners, now firm and solid. . The impression is excellent, strong and bright. The registry of the red is off a tiny bit in some places, again usual for maps of this period. All in all a handsome example, in the best of condition, no worming whatsoever ! . *** Color photos are posted to our website. . *** REFERENCES: . G. Beans: LIST, p.35, 1830.1 for a very similar items. A handsome work. * YAMASHITA, Kazumasa: CHIZU DE YOMU EDO JIDAI: JAPANESE MAPS OF THE EDO PERIOD. With several similar examples. * CORTAZZI, Hugh: ISLES OF GOLD: ANTIQUE MAPS OF JAPAN. . *** .