1939 Showa 14 Taro Nishizawa Map of Hankow / Hankou, China

This is a scarce 1939 or Showa 14 Taro Nishizawa (西澤, 太郎) city map or plan of Hankou (Wuhan), China issued during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937 - 1945, 抗日战争) shortly following the fall of Wuhan and Hankou in 1938. In addition to this map's importance to the war, it is noteworthy that it represents Hankou emergence from roughly 15 years of urban redesign, renewal, and redevelopment as a 'garden city' under the progressive mayors Liu Wen-Tao (1929 - 1931) and Wu Kuo-Chen (1932 - 1936).

Scope of the Map

The map illustrates the city of Hankou from the Hanshui River to the Yangtze River and from Hankou to the middle of the Yangtze. Highly detailed, the map focuses on the international concessions along the Yangtze, with each country's concession shaded in a different color. Important wartime locations are identified, such as the Japanese barracks near the train station. An inset map in the upper right corner illustrates Wuchang and Hanyang. Another inset, in the lower right, expands the map's coverage to the surrounding region.

Hankou at War

Today, Hankou is one of three cities (along with Hanyang and Wuchang) that merged to form the modern-day municipality of Wuhan. In 1939, the three cities were independent but maintained very close ties. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, some of the most meaningful battles centered around the three cities. Engagements were fought on both sides of the Yangtze, lasting a total of four months, ending in October 1938. Being situated midpoint on the Yangtze River, the three cities were critical to inland navigation and consequently the defense of China. To add to their importance, after the fall of Nanjing in December 1937, Hankou became the de facto capital of China. During the war, Hankou's defense was personally commanded by Chiang Kai-shek. Even so, the city eventually fell in 1938. Nonetheless, due to the ardent defense, and the high casualties endured by the Japanese, no further offences could launched in China until 1944.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Taro Nishizawa (西澤, 太郎) and published in 1939. Today these maps are quite rare and offer valuable historical information regarding the Japanese invasion of China.