Chipangu Insula

Chipangu insula hat ein besondern konik und sprach beted apgotter an.

[The island Chipangu has a King and language of its own; the inhabits worship idols.]


Chipangu die edelst and reichst insel in oriente von specerei und edelstein voll hot umfang bei 1,200 meilen.

[Chipangu is the most noble and richest island in the east, full of spices and precious stones. Its compas is 1,200 miles.]


In diser insul do wechst gold und gewurz stauden.

[In this island are found gold and shrubs yielding spices.]



Dise jnsel zipangu liegt in orient der welt dass volk afn landt peth abgotter an. Ir konik ist niemand underthan in der Insel wechst übertrefflich vil goldts auch edelgestein perlein oriental, dis schreibt marco polo von venedig im 3 buch.

[This island Zipangu lies in the east of the world. The inhabitatnts worship idols. The King is subect to no one. In the island is found exeeding much gold and likewise precious stones and pearls. This is stated by Marco Polo of Venice in his 3rd book.]


















-- Translation by Alexander von Behaim-Schwartzbach,
photos of the 1492 Martin Behaim Globe by Markus Ehrenfried