1857 Russian Map of East Coast of Korea

The historical facts of the Dokdo - Takeshima Island dispute

The map on this page was based on an 1854 survey by the Russian Navy's Putyatian Fleet. The title of the map is the East Coast of Chosun and includes both Ulleungdo and Dokdo as part of Korea. During this survey the Russian fleet had Dokdo drawn from three positions and distances which is the map below. The top left image is Dokdo as seen from a distance of 6.5kms the bottom left is from 9.3kms and the top right is Dokdo Island as viewed from 26kms away. All images are as seen with the naked eye. The map shows Ulleungdo named as Matsushima. Dokdo's West islet is named Olivutsa and the East is called Menelai.

A closeup of Dokdo Island drawn on the left map shows great attention to detail. To the right a full view of Russia's 1857 East Coast of Chosun Map. Click on both maps to view a larger image.

An 1876 Japanese Navy Map

The map below is a Japanese copy of the Russian Navy map above. This chart shows us a few things. First we can see the fictitious Argonaut Island drawn in dotted lines along Korea's coast. This indicates the existence of this island was considered nill. The same could be said for the small rock on Ulleungdo's northeast shore also drawn in dotted lines and marked as "P.D." Also included are identical copies of the Russian sketches of Dokdo Islands with the Russian names drawn in Katagana

Other Naval Maps for Reference

The map below is an 1863 British Naval chart. Here we can see that again the island of Argonaut has been drawn as P.D. or non-existent. The Japanese Navy would also use this map for reference later on as we will see below.

Below we see the Japanese version of the map above. Notice Takeshima or the ficticious Argonaut is drawn as a dotted line with an undefined border again indicating the island's existence was doubtful. These maps show by this point in history Japanese had followed Western maps and thus concluded Argonaut did not exist.

In Conclusion

The Russian Navy's map is the first Western map that clearly shows both Ulleungdo and Dokdo as part of Korean territory. The images of Dokdo from this map were also used in the French Navy's maps as well in the year 1861 so it is quite clear the chart was referenced by other nations. Russia's East Coast of Chosun was used for decades after, with the only alterations being appended detailed charts of Korean ports. Because of the map's great accuracy the Japanese Navy translated the map without alternation in their 1876 navy charts. Thus it can be concluded Japanese were aware that Argonaut Island did not exist. Also, by not altering the map's title or content, the Japanese acknowledged Dokdo was part of Chosun territory.