Hacking the Humanities Mapping Layers

Items

• 
  1:100,000 Scale Map of Manchuria and Siberia — No. 23: Jiamusi and Birobidzhan

  The 1:100,000 Map of Manchuria and Siberia — No. 23: Jiamusi and Birobidzhan is a black-and-white printed topographic map, likely produced on thin, durable paper suitable for field use by military personnel. Typical of Japanese military cartography from the early 20th century, the map measures approximately 70 x 50 cm, though exact dimensions may vary by edition. Fine contour lines depict elevation changes, and standardized symbols mark settlements, infrastructure, and natural features. Text is primarily in Japanese, using a combination of kanji and katakana for place names, and the map follows precise cartographic conventions with a clear grid system for navigation. Margins may contain scales, legends, and publication details, and some versions may feature red overprints to indicate updates, corrections, or strategic military notations. This map is part of a larger series produced by Imperial Japan during the occupation of Manchuria (1931–1945), designed for strategic and military use in the volatile border regions between Manchukuo (Japanese-occupied Manchuria) and the Soviet Union. Numbered 23 in the series, this sheet specifically covers the area surrounding Jiamusi, an important river port on the Songhua River, and Birobidzhan, located across the Amur River within the Soviet Union’s Jewish Autonomous Oblast. Geographically, the map includes detailed representations of rivers, railways (such as connections to the Trans-Siberian Railway), major and minor roads, urban centers, farmlands, and forested areas. Subsequent reprintings or revisions of the map may reflect updates in infrastructure or military interest, especially as border tensions increased leading up to conflicts like the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939. This map’s careful documentation of both natural and built environments highlights its dual purpose as a navigational tool and a strategic document, revealing Japan’s close surveillance of a region critical to its northern defense and expansionist ambitions.
• 
  1:100,000 Scale Map of Manchuria and Siberia – No. 5: Jiamusi & Birobidzhan

  This top-secret military map is a black-and-white printed document, likely produced on high-quality, durable paper suitable for field use. The map is part of a 兵要地誌圖 (Military Strategic Map) series and follows a 1:100,000 scale, providing a high level of detail for strategic and operational planning. It is meticulously labeled with Japanese kanji and katakana, indicating key geographical and military features. Given its military nature, the map may include grid references, contour lines, and strategic annotations, along with precise topographic details. The physical dimensions of similar maps from this era suggest that it would have been approximately 60 cm × 90 cm (24 in × 35 in) when unfolded, allowing for a broad yet detailed view of the mapped region. The map covers the Jiamusi (佳木斯) region in Manchuria and the Birobidzhan (ビロビッヂャン) area in the Soviet Jewish Autonomous Oblast, focusing on the Sino-Soviet borderlands along the Amur River. It highlights key transportation routes, rivers, mountainous terrain, and settlements, which were critical for Japanese military operations and intelligence activities. Raohe (饒河), a border town, is prominently featured, suggesting its strategic importance for cross-border surveillance. This map was likely produced between 1935 and 1945, a period marked by Japanese expansion in Manchuria and rising tensions with the Soviet Union. Given the evolving geopolitical landscape, it may have undergone multiple printings and revisions to incorporate new intelligence, military infrastructure developments, and changes in border defenses.