Analysis of an Illustrated Map of the Aioiyama Upland, Nagoya

Nagoya, the fourth largest city in Japan in terms of population (roughly 2.25 million in October 2009), has many illustrated maps on public display and among them are "walking course" maps, from which is the untitled example analyzed in this article and referred to as the "Aioiyama Map." The first section ("The Aioiyama Map and Its Venue") after this abstractcum-introduction provides some information about the location of the map and the area shown in it, while the next two sections address the nine sites which are illustrated in offset circles and are connected to one or both of the walking routes shown on the map ("The Sites Illustrated on the Aioiyama Map") and most of the other pictorial and verbal information on the map ("Other Information on the Aioiyama Map"). Then comes an analytical section ("The Spirit and Purpose of Compositions Such as the Aioiyama Map") which addresses the mismatch of orientation and physical positioning in this case, the city-wide genre of "historical walking course" maps, how the routes on the Aioiyama Map relate to the 10,000 steps per diem exercise regimen, and the targeted audience of such maps. A two-paragraph concluding statement wraps up the article by noting that compositions such as the Aioiyama Map are examples of applied cartography and geography and can serve as devices to encourage viewers to visit places, explore areas, or engage in recreational activities.