Complete Map of Allotted Fields, Human Traces, and Travel Routes Within and Without the Nine Frontiers Under Heaven

Ming dynasty (1368�1644), Chongzhen period (1628�44), dated 1644

Hanging scroll, ink printed on paper; 124.6 x 124.6 cm

Inventory number: 1/1644/14526

From the late Ming period onward, Chinese scholars experimented with a number of ways to combine cartographic knowledge dispensed by Jesuit missionaries with traditional Chinese mapping conventions.� One such example is this map drawn by Cao Junyi and printed in Nanjing in 1644.

The map showcases Ming-dynasty China at the center and indicates its two imperial capitals of Beijing and Nanjing, thirteen provinces, the Great Wall, and significant mountains and rivers.� The source of the Yellow River is drawn in the shape of a gourd, while river courses and coastlines are somewhat distorted since the map was not drawn to scale.� Using assorted legends, the map also includes the fu (superior prefectures), zhou (ordinary prefectures), xian (counties, which are provided with a brief account of their history), and wei (administrative headquarters) throughout the empire.� In addition, the locations of tusi (aboriginal offices) in southern and southwestern China are indicated.� The text at the top of the map gives the title and an explanation of the countries in the world. �That at the bottom describes the two capitals and thirteen provinces, including their names, population figures, and production and taxation figures for commodities, such as rice, wheat, raw silk, processed silk, cotton, linen, money, horse fodder, and salt; all the information is taken from the Da Ming yitong zhi (General Gazetteer of the Ming Dynasty).� The texts on either side of the map list the 29 strategic passes of the Nine Frontiers and 33 foreign countries.