This is exciting :-) That section of Nakanoshima looks surprisingly similar to present day. I think a lot of those buildings still exist ... and maybe even the form of the rose garden?
Absolutely fascinating to have a peek at these beautiful maps!
On Tuesday I hope to publish the next installment, which pairs the Nakashima section of the map with aerial and street-level photographs from the same time period. It also has links to Google Global Views from approximately the same bird’s-eye view angle as the map. So you get to compare the situation in the 1920s with how it looks today.
It has lots of images, which brings 1920s to life, but unfortunately also requires some scrolling. I believe it is interesting enough to keep on scrolling and sincerely hope you think so too.
Fascinating read! I was always impressed by the bird’s eye view paintings whenever I saw them in muesuems and galleries, so it’s great to learn more about them!
Another great article! Thank you! If anyone is in Taipei, there's a huge chokanzu map of occupied Taiwan hanging on the second floor of the lobby of National Taiwan University's College of Medicine.
Incredible, right. It was only after scanning and seeing the map enlarged when I realized all the details. I just can’t imagine how they achieved this level of detail at the scale they used.
this is so great! I spent several hours in a shop in Jinbōchō looking at topographical maps, many of them dated back to the 1920s. I was so impressed with the range and quality of these old maps; I didn't actually "need" them to be that old, but there were so many! I ended up just leafing through them and bought several. But the ones you've shown here are such works of art!
The store is a delight to visit. It has this messy and crowded Showa feel. I am hoping that this will actually keep the crowds out, so that the shop survives as a place catering mainly to locals.
I love vintage maps. Pairing them up with vintage photos is as close to time travel as I will ever come. This map especially.
When I read your comment about looking at maps at a shop in Jinbōchō I immediately visualized a particular shop I love to visit. So now I am really curious which shop it was!
Shinsendō! Is that the one? https://shinsendo-kosho.co.jp/en/ I went inside...and didn't emerge for two hours! All I wanted was a topographical map of Izu and Hakone, but...you know how it is! :) I will definitely share my purchases when I get a chance!
They do have a lot of maps. The link still gives the old address for Shinsendō. They moved to a new, and much smaller, location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wTT4XMYLsFQgAWQE6
This is exciting :-) That section of Nakanoshima looks surprisingly similar to present day. I think a lot of those buildings still exist ... and maybe even the form of the rose garden?
Absolutely fascinating to have a peek at these beautiful maps!
Thank you, Patrick.
On Tuesday I hope to publish the next installment, which pairs the Nakashima section of the map with aerial and street-level photographs from the same time period. It also has links to Google Global Views from approximately the same bird’s-eye view angle as the map. So you get to compare the situation in the 1920s with how it looks today.
It has lots of images, which brings 1920s to life, but unfortunately also requires some scrolling. I believe it is interesting enough to keep on scrolling and sincerely hope you think so too.
Fascinating read! I was always impressed by the bird’s eye view paintings whenever I saw them in muesuems and galleries, so it’s great to learn more about them!
Thank you, James. It is a fascinating aspect of Japanese art, isn’t it!
Speechless. Overwhelmed. Amazed and Grateful to have you putting this together and out there for others to enjoy.
Thank you for your kind words, Suzanne.
Another great article! Thank you! If anyone is in Taipei, there's a huge chokanzu map of occupied Taiwan hanging on the second floor of the lobby of National Taiwan University's College of Medicine.
Thank you for your kind words. I did a very quick search for the map you mentioned in your comment, but couldn't find it.
I did find this: https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/zh/Articles/Details?Guid=ea9487ab-23fe-43c1-990e-1e2278271db6&langId=3&CatId=10
The details are incredible!
Incredible, right. It was only after scanning and seeing the map enlarged when I realized all the details. I just can’t imagine how they achieved this level of detail at the scale they used.
this is so great! I spent several hours in a shop in Jinbōchō looking at topographical maps, many of them dated back to the 1920s. I was so impressed with the range and quality of these old maps; I didn't actually "need" them to be that old, but there were so many! I ended up just leafing through them and bought several. But the ones you've shown here are such works of art!
Oh dear, Ohya Shobo has an online store and ships overseas… although it’s so much more satisfying to just browse the physical items!
The store is a delight to visit. It has this messy and crowded Showa feel. I am hoping that this will actually keep the crowds out, so that the shop survives as a place catering mainly to locals.
Thank you, Maya!
I love vintage maps. Pairing them up with vintage photos is as close to time travel as I will ever come. This map especially.
When I read your comment about looking at maps at a shop in Jinbōchō I immediately visualized a particular shop I love to visit. So now I am really curious which shop it was!
And I would love to see the maps you bought.
Shinsendō! Is that the one? https://shinsendo-kosho.co.jp/en/ I went inside...and didn't emerge for two hours! All I wanted was a topographical map of Izu and Hakone, but...you know how it is! :) I will definitely share my purchases when I get a chance!
They do have a lot of maps. The link still gives the old address for Shinsendō. They moved to a new, and much smaller, location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wTT4XMYLsFQgAWQE6
I was thinking Ohya Shobo : https://www.ohya-shobo.com/english.php