Imperial Mapping During the Arrow War: Its Process and Repercussions on the Cartography in China and Japan

Abstract

For Western countries, armed conflicts with East Asian countries were one of the most important opportunities to extend their modern mapping. Reviewing the conflicts that broke out during the 19^th century, we found records of mapping and actual maps produced in almost all these cases. Taking the Arrow War as an example, this article intends to study wartime mapping in China by Western countries and understand its prominent features. First, mapping works of the British military during the important armed conflicts in this war are described chronologically. Second, its mapping is examined from a cartographical point of view. Third, French mapping during this war is reviewed by scrutinizing military histories of its army and navy. Finally the translation of these maps and charts into Chinese and Japanese is compared to observe the use of imperial maps in later times.

In this war, the hydrographic and geographic information accumulated by Western countries since Macartney’s embassy to China was reviewed, utilized, and revised. In addition, the imperial mapping in this war was not completely cursory or temporary. Instead, it was carried out in order to secure a “positional accuracy” to serve combat units as much as practicable, and survey data obtained was utilized especially for updating charts. Meanwhile, the French tradition of deploying scientists in expeditions since Napoleon’s occupation of Egypt was also followed in this war. As for the translation of maps and charts, a stark contrast is found between China and Japan.