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Unframed Japanese woodblock color printed folding map, Meiji Period (1868-1911), entitled Kyoto fu-ku kumiwake saizu, a detailed map of the old capital and its environs, dated Meiji 18.7 (=1885 July), publisher notation lower left (some wear), 28'' x 19'' [unfolded]

Unframed Japanese woodblock printed map, Edo Period (1615-1868), depicting the capital (old designation for Kyoto), a reissue dated Tempo 14 (=1843.6), the city and surrounding famous places and temples each labeled, published by Okuda (some wear), 14'' x 18.5''

Unframed Japanese woodblock printed map, Edo Period (1615-1868), entitled Washu Nara no zu (Diagram of Nara, Wakayama [prefecture]), dated Tempo 15 (=1844.5), featuring the eight scenic spots, together with various other notable places, publisher notation lower left (some wear), 17'' x 22.25''

Having developed a taste for city maps, such as that much discussed in these posts, here and here, I was inclined towards these maps of Kyoto and its neighbour Nara, especially as Pigtown Design had found a copy of the Paris map on Kyoto University's website, and with my Japanese family connection, this seemed a natural progression. Sadly, I wasn't paying enough attention to deadlines and the sale has passed. In retrospect however, the condition of the maps is quite poor, although given their age, this is to be expected, and quite charming. I am particularly drawn to the coloured map of Kyoto, (top picture), which has a cubist/modernist quality to it.