Old Japanese National Maps Part Three Defining Japan's Historical~Territorial Boundary

The historical facts of the Dokdo - Takeshima Island dispute

The following maps were gathered from various sources with the intent of making one point. Throughout the ages Japanese national maps prove Dokdo was not considered an inherent part of Japan as their Foreign Ministry now boldly claims. For reference, Oki Island has been boxed and a modern map at the top gives a geographical reference point for the viewer, From these maps, it's a logical conclusion that for centuries before the annexation of Dokdo in 1905 the Japanese considered Oki Island (ëßÐ÷) as the Northwestern boundary of Japan. For higher magnification, each map is clickable

This is a modern map of the East Sea with Oki Islands boxed.

A map of the 1870's shows no islands West of Oki (click)

A map dated from around 1800 with Oki Islands boxed (click)

An 1870's Japanese map excluding Ulleungdo and Dokdo (click)

Japanese World Maps 1835

The following two maps are maps of the world and were drawn around the year 1835 and include both Ulleungdo and Dokdo situated in more southern locations. We can see the Okinoshimas drawn in South of Ulleungdo-Dokdo and these maps are labelled in Katagana rather than Kanji like most maps of this era. The first map shows Korea colored in yellow. Ulluengdo and Dokdo are also colored in yellow indicating both islands as Korean territory as Japanese territory is brown. The second map below shows much the same positioning but uses a different color to denote territorial limits. Here again Ulleungdo and Dokdo are colored the same color as the Korean peninsula in yellow and Oki and Tsushima are colored in blue as is the rest of Japanese territory. It must be noted these maps predate the mapping confusion of Seibold's error in 1840 so there can be no doubt as to the identity of both islands on these maps. In short, both of these maps clearly show Ulleungdo and Dokdo as Chosun territory.

A Japanese Map of the World drawn around the year 1835

This 1835 color-coded map clearly shows both Ulleungdo and Dokdo as Chosun teritory. Each map is clickable for larger image.

To the right is a closeup image of both Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands situated Northwest of the Okinoshimas. Again we have Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands colored as the same color as the Korean peninsula. These maps leave little doubt as to which territory both islands belong to. The above image has Asia boxed while the other map images have Ulleungdo and Dokdo in a box for reference. (Each map is clickable)

Japanese Scenic National Maps

These Japanese maps below were both functional and attractive.  They gave an almost three dimensional view of Japan's territories including the islands of Japan's Western coastline. Also one of the maps showed Korea's shoreline off in the distance. These maps follow the format of the vast majority of Japanese national maps and show no islands West of Oki despite the fact they include Chosun (Korea) All maps are clickable for larger image.

The image above is a closeup of Oki Island "ëßÐ÷". We can clearly see this island is the westernmost part of Japan in these maps

The upper left image is an overall national map of Japan showing all of neighbour islands. Boxed in white is Oki Island which was long deemed as Japan's westernmost limit by Saito Hosen in 1667. To the left is the overall image of Japan showing the Characters ðÈàØ for Chosun. On this map no islands West of Oki are shown as part of Japanese terrority. As with the map below Chosun ðÈàØ (Korea) is written in the background of Japan's terrtitory showing us that lands beyond Oki were deemed Korean land.

This map made in the 19th Century shows Oki as Japan's limit. Beyond Japan's neighbour islands can be seen the Kanji characters for Chosun ðÈàØ (Korea) Click to enlarge images.

Beyond Japan's neighbouring islands can be seen the Kanji characters for Chosun ðÈàØ (Korea) (click)

A closeup of Oki Island "ëßÐ÷"

The map above shows Oki Island as Japan's western limit and excludes both Ulleungdo and Dokdo Island. Off in the distance can be seen Chosun "ðÈàØ" (Korea) click to enlarge.

In Conclusion

The maps above represent Japan's own territorial perceptions and boundaries spanning over 250 years prior to their illegal 1905 annexation of Dokdo.  It is said that in 1667 Saito Hosen defined the western limit of  Japan as Oki Island. As seen here, the majority of Japanese maps support this theory. Recently, Japan's Government has taken the stance that Dokdo Island is/was an inherent part of Japanese territory.  It is not plausible that Japanese cartographers would consistently omit a territory considered inherently theirs on the vast majority of their national maps. That being said, there are some Japanese maps that include both Ulleungdo and Dokdo. However, these maps often include the Korean peninsula as well.  We also know that in 1696 Ulleungdo was proclaimed to be Chosun territory.  Therefore post-1696 maps of Japan that include both Ulleungdo and Dokdo can't be interpreted to be including Dokdo as part of Japanese land. In short, there are no Japanese maps or documents prior to the illegal annexation of Dokdo that show Dokdo as Japanese territory,