Context and Analysis

In our project, we closely examined and annotated two historical Japanese military maps from World War II, depicting regions in modern-day Manchuria and Siberia. The annotations on these maps reflect the complexities of translating military and geographical terminology from Japanese, sometimes intermixed with Russian transliterations, due to the multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nature of the regions depicted. We carefully identified and translated these place names, area descriptions, and strategic comments, providing users with valuable historical context.

Through our annotations, users can explore detailed insights into the maps’ original military annotations. For example, annotations marked in red often indicate area types and descriptions, such as shrub forests composed of larches and white birches, including specific military comments like the difficulty soldiers faced traversing these terrains.

Other annotations focus on critical geographical and infrastructural features relevant to wartime logistics and strategic planning. Annotations reveal precise details such as the width of rivers and their depths, crucial for understanding transportation difficulties, such as noting that water levels could reach the height of a horse’s belly, complicating supply transport.

Using Omeka S in conjunction with the Simple Annotation Server, we digitized these maps into interactive items, embedding annotations and translations. Users can actively engage with the maps by clicking on specific annotations to reveal translated tooltips containing historical context and geographical details. Users can also navigate between annotations using arrows or filter annotations through category tags like “AreaType” or “AreaDescription,” ensuring a structured and intuitive exploration experience.

The Mirador Viewer, embedded within the Simple Annotation Server, enhances this interactivity by allowing seamless zooming and detailed examination of specific map segments. The platform’s interactive tooltips further deepen user understanding by providing concise historical insights without disrupting exploration.

Analyzing these maps through detailed annotations and interactive exploration uncovers the complex interplay between geography, military strategy, and colonial ambitions of Imperial Japan. Features such as dense forests, steep slopes, and varying water levels underscore the strategic challenges and decisions faced during military planning. For instance, annotations like those describing the Jielie River region as suitable for cavalry only after road improvements, or prohibiting passage during high water periods, highlight strategic considerations influenced by the natural environment.

Through this interactive digital approach, our project reveals nuanced historical narratives embedded within these military maps, facilitating deeper public engagement and scholarly research.