EnlargeThis perspective map of China was created by the famous Japanese artist Hokusai (1760-1849). The map appears to have been drawn from careful observations, as it contains detailed representations of cities, mountains and major landmarks. The Great Wall of China, for example, can be seen snaking its way across the top.
But, amazingly, Hokusai never went to China. Perhaps the information for the map came from books or travellers' tales. He may have seen it as a joke since he signed the map with the comic name 'Manji' and added 'the old man mad about drawing aged 81'.
