Posted 14 years ago
djreynolds
(5 items)
I cannot tell if this is a map or just some print for tourists. My sister bought a table at an auction for one dollar and got this. There are no markings on it besides what is in the picture. The paper feels strange, maybe like oil cloth. Please let me know what you think, thanks
whatever it is, it's truly beautiful!
This is nice. To me it looks original and Japanese though it likely is not as old as you would suspect. Manuscript work like this can be found in Japan until relatively recent times. Most likely this is a late 19th century manuscript copy of an earlier work. The scroll mounting is also likely later. You should invest a little into looking into this with a professional with experience in Asian cartography. I know that there is a large Japanese map collection at UC Berkeley, start there.
This map was on rice paper and estimated to be from the 1800's. It was a map. Assumed to be brought by missionaries, before it was bought, I was told had to be checked that it was not stolen.
PLEASE DO NOT TIE RUBBER BAND AROUND IT. It's a guarantee to ruin the paper where it comes in contact with the rubber band.