An Edo-Period Map of Japan's Provinces

‘Rebus with a Complete List of the Provinces of Great Japan’ (Dai Nihon kuni zukushi hanjimono 大日本くにづくしはんじ物), also known as ‘[Fictitious] Plan for Amusement in Great Japan’ ([Kari] Dai Nihon asobi ezu [仮]大日本遊び絵図), woodcut, Gifu Prefectural Library, shelfmark:17-14-2, URL: https://www.library.pref.gifu.lg.jp/mapdata/17-14-2.htm

In Edo-period Japan, one popular type of rebus was the so-called ‘[Fictitious] Plan for Amusement in Great Japan’ ([Kari] Dai Nihon asobi ezu [仮]大日本遊び絵図). It is a map, which presents the old Japanese provinces and their names in pictures. Different versions of this rebus map are handed down to us. For instance, a colored print, with the title ‘Guide with a Complete List of Provinces, Convenient for Illiterate People’ (Muhitsu chōhō kuni zukushi annai 無筆重宝国尽案内) is currently in the property of the Kobe City Museum).

The monochrome print, used in this exercise, is held by Gifu Prefectural Library. It has the title ‘Rebus with a Complete List of the Provinces of Great Japan’ (Dai Nihon kuni zukushi hanjimono). Through it, you will learn to locate the old provinces of Japan as well as train your Japanese vocabulary.