Ten Ino Maps of three types and two map boxes in the possession of the Tokushima University Library will be designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan under the name of the Ino Tadataka Survey Maps. The Council for Cultural Affairs submitted a report to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology after deliberation and resolution at the Council for Cultural Affairs' Cultural Properties Subcommittee held on Friday, March 21st, 2025.
This is the first time that this has happened at Tokushima University regarding an Important Cultural Property.
The "Ino Maps" are the general name for maps of Japan that were created by Ino Tadataka during the Edo period after he surveyed the entire country. Initially, it was started as a personal project by Tadataka, but was later carried out as a shogunate project, and was completed in 1821 after Tadataka's death as "DaiNihon enkai yochi zenzu."
The "Ino Maps" in the Tokushima University Library collection consist of a total of ten items, including three "Enkai chizu" (1/216,000 scale), medium-sized maps of the same series as the "Enkai chizu, in the eastern part of Japan" that was presented to the shogunate in August 1804, four "DaiNihon enkai zukō," medium-sized maps based on the results of the 5th to 7th surveys conducted in 1811 to 1815, and three "Buzen no kuni enkai chizu," large maps based on the results of the 7th survey (1/36,000 scale). These are valuable materials for understanding the process of the creation of the "DaiNihon enkai yochi zenzu," Japan's first map of Japan that was actually measured.
Tokushima University will continue to work with all concerned parties to preserve this valuable cultural asset for future generations.
Composite Map of "Enkai chizu" and "DaiNihon enkai zukō"
