In James Clavell's novel "Shōgun," the description of the Earth emphasizes its round shape, likening it to an orange. The author points out that maps, while depicting the globe, inevitably distort its true form by flattening it into ovals that stretch at the poles. This analogy illustrates the inherent limitations of mapping the world's surface.

Clavell introduces the pioneering work of Gerardus Mercator, a Dutch cartographer who developed an accurate method for creating maps just twenty years prior to the novel’s setting. His technique represents a significant advancement in cartography, providing a more reliable representation of the world's geography, even as it remains imperfect in its visual portrayal.