Abstract
A classic early map of China, it was the first to adopt the convention of a north-south orientation. The outline of Korea and Japan follows the Ortelius-Texeira model. It was one of 37 new maps engraved for the expanded Mercator-Hondius "Atlas" of 1606.
In one cartouche, a scene depicts the Japanese persecution of a Christian missionary, probably a reference to the martyrdom in Nagasaki (日本九州長崎) in 1597. It was this conflict that ultimately led to Japan becoming a closed country for several centuries. Although the cartouche of the map is neither overly large or ornate, it balances the map beautifully with an elegant strapwork design.
(from https://www.inter-antiquariaat.nl/collection/foreign/asia/china-korea-japan-map-mercatorhondius/)
In one cartouche, a scene depicts the Japanese persecution of a Christian missionary, probably a reference to the martyrdom in Nagasaki (日本九州長崎) in 1597. It was this conflict that ultimately led to Japan becoming a closed country for several centuries. Although the cartouche of the map is neither overly large or ornate, it balances the map beautifully with an elegant strapwork design.
(from https://www.inter-antiquariaat.nl/collection/foreign/asia/china-korea-japan-map-mercatorhondius/)
Beneath it is another charactaristic vignette on maps of China of this early period, showing a wagon powered by sails which Marco Polo swore were in common use at the time.
— From https://www.inter-antiquariaat.nl/collection/foreign/asia/china-korea-japan-map-mercatorhondius/