Network Mapper
Open the Network Mapper full screen
What it does
Network Mapper is a workspace for historical network analysis. You add people, organisations, events and outputs such as publications, then connect them with typed relationships: mentored, member of, founded, attended, authored, splinter of, influenced by and so on. Each node can carry a Japanese name, a romanised or English name, dates, a role, an ideological orientation, notes and a source citation.
The graph lays itself out and can be dragged, pinned and zoomed. A year-range slider shows only the people and ties active in a given period, and you can hide node types or colour nodes by your own groups.
Try it here
The Network Mapper needs a desktop-width screen. Use the button above to open it on a larger display.
How to use it
- Add nodes in the left panel. Choose a type, give a Japanese and/or romanised name, and add dates, role and a source. Press N to jump to the form.
- Add connections by picking two nodes and a relationship. Directional ties (A → B) are drawn with arrows. Press E to jump to the form.
- Explore: drag nodes, double-click to pin them, scroll to zoom, and click a node or tie for its details and connections.
- Filter by node type, or drag the year-range handles at the bottom (double-click the slider to reset).
- Present: Figure mode (F) hides the controls for screenshots and teaching. Press Esc to leave it.
- Export as JSON, SVG, PNG, a standalone HTML page, or node and edge CSVs. Import JSON (replacing or merging) or a CSV of nodes.
Sources and data
The tool has no data of its own. Everything you enter is saved only in your own browser’s local storage and never leaves your computer. Clearing your browser data will delete it, so export your projects to JSON regularly to keep a copy or to share them.
How to cite
Perkins, Chris. 2026. Network Mapper, version 0.1. https://whitecresta.github.io/tools/network-mapper/