Mountain cartography of Hokkaido in the nineteenth century

Abstract. The nineteenth century was a period of profound cultural and environmental change on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. It was also a period when Japanese cartographers began to incorporate Western methods of terrain representation into their maps. This article sketches a preliminary chronology of Hokkaido maps in order to document changes in methods of terrain representation over this period and to connect mountain cartography to the island’s history of cultural and environmental change. Distinctive patterns of terrain representation in early maps include horizon strip diagrams and portraits of distinguished mountains with shifting orientations and abundant white space. After the middle of the century, Japanese cartographers began incorporating Western methods of terrain representation, including hachures, waterlines, and contours. These changes in terrain representation also reflect shifting purposes of maps that include claiming territory, remembering indigenous knowledge, and systematic planning of cultural and environmental change.