Mapmaking Process Reading from Local Distortions in Historical Maps: A Geographically Weighted Bidimensional Regression Analysis of a Japanese Castle Map
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper applies GWR to local bidimensional regression with automatic bandwidth selection in measuring distortions in a historical map and examines mapmakers intentions, would seem to be a significant addition to the literature. My comments are as follows:
(1) Since the novelty of this paper is the use of quantitative method, please emphasize what had been possible in comparison to the existing literature like Yuasa (1987) that did not use quantitative methods.
(2) Although the bandwidth may be optimized in GWR, it is determined by the number and distribution of control points, there for the optimal bandwidth may not be "appropriate" and can still miss "important distortions" (line 213). Please discuss about this in relation to control points setting in Lines 161-164.
(3) The important assumption in GWR is the spatial continuity of the paramters, but this might not hold in the map distortions. Please mention this as the limitation to this approach while further study include appling local regression method that allow spatial discontinuity.
(4) The -4 degrees rotation is global so please consider visualizing the "difference between the shear angles along x- and y- axes", or the differences from the "average" -4 degrees,
(5) Line 334 If the intention were just to place the main gate in the center, there is not reason to distort other parts, so there should be more conditions such as, including the whole castle town and reduce the blank spaces.
(6) Line 144 Takada's Shoho Castle Map --> Takada Shoho Castle Map (as in line 135, because we don't say, say, New York's street map)
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsCongratulations for a very interesting and well structured paper. I have a suggestion on a typo, it is "Imola" not "Imora". It would be good, in a nutshell, also to explain which distortions were made by Leonardo in the plan, so as to be less generic. The part of the paper that needs more detail is the preliminary part of the maps of Takada. While it is clearly explained how many Castle maps were produced in Japan and why, also relating - in theory, not necessary with measurements - the distortions to cultural aspects or limitations of the time and technological limits. It would be good to know how this map fits in the historical trajectory of Takada: what are the precedents and when the technology allowed a precise survey. I would suggest to devote one paragraph to these aspects. Once these aspects are tackled, I think this paper is worth publication.
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper's topic is interesting, and the author is well-informed about the subject in question, i.e. Shoho Castle Maps. However, I would like to point to some issues that affect the paper's quality and should be addressed before publication.
- Abstract. If the author invented and applied a new method (GWBR), it should already be clearly stated in the abstract.
-Introduction. This section requires an additional literature review to link historical maps with their purpose and method of production.
- In the above context. The author could boost the analytical rigour of the paper by bringing examples from, for example, the European contexts, such as Habsburg Military Survey (e.g.: Ostafin, K.; Pietrzak, M.; Kaim, D. Impact of the Cartographer’s Position and Topographic Accessibility on the Accuracy of Historical Land Use Information: Case of the Second Military Survey Maps of the Habsburg Empire. ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2021, 10, 820. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10120820; Timár, G., Biszak, S., Székely, B., Molnár, G. (2010). Digitized Maps of the Habsburg Military Surveys – Overview of the Project of ARCANUM Ltd. (Hungary). In: Jobst, M. (eds) Preservation in Digital Cartography. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12733-5_14); Ottoman Empire (e.g.: Vuksanović-Macura, Z., & Novaković-Jevtić, K. (2020). Surveying of Belgrade: Technical Background of Emilijan Josimović Plan from 1867. Matica Srpska Journal of Fine Arts, (48), 73-87), etc
- In addition, information provided in current sections 1.2 Shoho Caste Maps and 1.3. Distortion of the Shoho Castle Maps should be reformulated and moved to section 2. Materials and Method.
- Discussion section, and related to above. Parts of the paper between lines 338 and 400 are more research results than a discussion. This section should be reformulated, and the results should be put into the context of broader literature.
- Revised conclusions should follow introduced changes.
- References should be formatted according to the journal's guide for references.
Author Response
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Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe research is very interesting and convincing, however, there are some areas that could be improved:
- it is a pity that the author chose only one castle for the analysis - if a couple more maps had been analyzed then the hypothesis of intentional cartographic manipulation could have been justified
- the original map was drawn on paper, silk, etc? It has to be mentioned, due to the fact that all those materials may be affected by different processes throughout time and as a consequence, some parts of the map may be disturbed and resized. It has to be discussed.
- if possible add a figure with some details - I think that a main gate displayed on the Shoho Castle Map and GSI maps could be a good example
- Figures a and b should have the same size
Author Response
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