An exceptional and rare early Japanese map, hand painted, depicting China from the Zhou or Qin Dynasty. The map depicts the Chinese Nine Zhou, or provinces, utilizing nomenclature used in Japan circa 12th-16th century, and in a stylistic manner appropriate to the period, executed on thick handmade paper. Exact date of origin unknown, but apparently from the Kumakura or Muromachi period, dating between the 12th and 16th century. Map was found in the documents of a Japanese immigrant to the west coast of the US that arrived in 1908. Approximately 25.5L x 16.125W in.