Old map of the World, buddhist worldview, 1710

Zuda Rokashi Hotan (1654-1728) was a prominent Japanese Buddhist scholar-priest who made significant contributions during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Notably, he founded Kyoto's Kegon-ji Temple and is celebrated in cartographic circles for his creation of the influential Buddhist world map, known as the "Nansunbushu Bankoku Shoka no Zu" (Outline Map of All Countries of the Southern Continent).

Published in 1710, this map holds distinction as Japan's first printed Buddhist world map. It is also the initial Oriental map to incorporate detailed Western cartographic knowledge into the traditional Buddhist cosmological worldview. The map's layout divides the world into three continents: Jambudvipa (the Indian subcontinent), Purvavideha (China and Southeast Asia), and Uttarakuru (Central Asia and the Middle East). Additionally, it includes various islands, such as Japan, Sri Lanka, and the Ryukyu Islands.

Apart from its cartographic significance, the map is of historical value for shedding light on the Buddhist worldview prevalent in the early 18th century. Its unique blend of Eastern and Western cartographic traditions makes it a notable accomplishment.

Beyond his cartographic pursuits, Hotan was a devoted scholar of Buddhism and an accomplished writer. He penned numerous treatises on Buddhist philosophy and cosmology, as well as several poems and hymns. Revered within the Buddhist community, his scholarly endeavors played a crucial role in shaping the development of Buddhism in Japan.

Noteworthy facts about Zuda Rokashi Hotan include his birth in Kyoto in 1654, early entry into priesthood, and studies at the Kegon-ji Temple. Eventually, he became the abbot of the same temple in 1723 before passing away in Kyoto in 1728.

Hotan's lasting legacy is seen in his impactful work as both a cartographer and a scholar, profoundly influencing the understanding of Buddhist philosophy and cosmology in Japan. His map remains a valuable historical artifact, representing a remarkable fusion of different cartographic traditions.