• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.32-47
• /
• 2003

The Joseon had made maps of Japan with information that gained during the exchanges with Japan on the basis of the polio of maintaining amicable relations. The elaborate map of Japan similar to Haenggido was in Honilgangniyokdaekukdojido(Map of integrated lands and regions of historical countries and capitals, made in 1402, and more accurate map of Japan was found in Haedongjegukgi(Chronicle of the countries of the Eastern Sea, compiled by Sinsukju in 1471. These products were due to openness of foreign exchanges in 15th century. After 16th century, understanding of Japan based on China-centric view was intensified, as the confucianism of Chu-tzu planted its roots deeply in Joseon society as the social doctrine. These tendency were reflected in the map-making, accordingly many kinds of maps of Japan in the atlas were meager in contents and distorted in shorelines. Apart these currents, as comings and goings of official envoy became brisk, elaborated maps of Japan were imported and copied in the Joseon dynasty. Consequently these maps helped the elites of Joseon to raise understanding of Japan.