Saihan Shinkai Oedo Ezu
Item
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Title
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Saihan Shinkai Oedo Ezu
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Alternative Title
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再版新改御江戸繪圖.
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Description
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This map of Edo, titled Saihan Shinkai Oedo Ezu, was published and distributed to the public between 1818 and 1829 by Nichimura Soichi. Unlike most modern maps, its orientation is unconventional: North is to the right, South to the left, and West appears at the top. Three merchant ships are present in Tokyo Bay in the southeast, as well as ports in the bay and bridges over the Arakawa River. The legend shows distances from Nihonbashi in the center to multiple shrines and temples. It also shows the hierarchy of the city by defining symbols for residents from different social classes. At the center of the map is a large blank area marked with the Tokugawa crest, symbolizing Edo Castle. Various symbols across the map indicate the locations of samurai residences, revealing their distribution throughout the city. The most prominent samurai residences are marked by a crest, while other residences are marked by a circle or a square. Notably, a concentration of samurai families is found in the western part of Edo. This cartographic spatial arrangement reflects the hierarchical structure of the city, with the samurai and elite classes residing in the West, or the High City, Yamanote, while merchants and traders were primarily located in the East, or the Low City, Shitamachi. Despite its emphasis on residency, this map was primarily used by travelers who were visiting Edo. The map’s key points out the location of several temples across the city, which were seen as cultural hubs and places for festivities and entertainment.
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Date
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1812
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Places shown in the map
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Edo
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Contributor
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Peter Annunziata
George Conlan
Per Johnson
Dario Rissolo
Jenny Tang
