Changes

The use of currency expanded considerably in Japan in the [[Kamakura period|Kamakura]] (1185-1333) and Muromachi periods. Taxes previously paid in rice or other crops were now increasingly paid in Chinese coinage (though payment in crops was still very common), and coins circulated more widely. Systems of moneylenders called ''kariage'' or ''dosô'' emerged. But the currency being used was almost exclusively Chinese coins.<ref name=kobata99>Kobata. pp99-100.</ref>

The use of currency expanded considerably in Japan in the [[Kamakura period|Kamakura]] (1185-1333) and Muromachi periods. Taxes previously paid in rice or other crops were now increasingly paid in Chinese coinage (though payment in crops was still very common), and coins circulated more widely. Systems of moneylenders called ''kariage'' or ''dosô'' emerged. But the currency being used was almost exclusively Chinese coins.<ref name=kobata99>Kobata. pp99-100.</ref>

Japanese coins first began to re-appear, and the volume of Chinese coins in circulation in Japan to drop, in the mid-15th century. Due to price fluctuations, Japanese merchants / tribute envoys in China found it more profitable to purchase goods - such as silk - in China to resell in Japan, rather than bringing Chinese coin back. Some areas in western Japan even began minting their own coins in imitation of the Chinese ones, and sending traders with Japanese coins to China to buy Chinese goods. Chinese coins from the late 15th century, e.g. those minted in the Hongzhi (1488-1506) reign, are quite rare finds for archaeologists in Japan today, and those from later reigns are almost entirely absent.<ref name=kobata99/>

Japanese coins first began to re-appear, and the volume of Chinese coins in circulation in Japan to drop, in the mid-15th century. Due to price fluctuations, Japanese merchants / tribute envoys in China found it more profitable to purchase goods - such as silk - in China to resell in Japan, rather than bringing Chinese coin back. Some areas in western Japan even began minting their own coins in imitation of the Chinese ones, and sending traders with Japanese coins to China to buy Chinese goods. Chinese coins from the late 15th century, e.g. those minted in the [[Hongzhi Emperor|Hongzhi]] (1488-1505) reign, are quite rare finds for archaeologists in Japan today, and those from later reigns are almost entirely absent.<ref name=kobata99/>

In the Sengoku period (1467-1600), and especially as Japan began to become more integrated in the mid-to-late 16th century, regional ''daimyô'' began to expand their mining efforts, and gold and silver came to be more widely circulated, and exported. Gold dust had long been a common element in gifts (tribute) paid by samurai lords and shogunates to the Imperial Court; bags of gold dust of a designated size, called ''nô'' (納), were valued at 20 ''ryô''.<ref name=kobata101>Kobata. p101.</ref> In the central regions of the country, where mining was most prevalent, taxes came to increasingly be paid in gold and silver; this was then exchanged for coins or rice. ''Kin'ya'' and ''gin'ya'' (gold and silver dealers) emerged and enabled these conversion (exchange) transactions. These dealers, along with firms officially licensed by the local lord, called ''ginza'' or ''tenbinza'', also dealt in producing, and certifying, pieces of gold and silver with a designated level of refinement or quality. Certified pieces, called ''hankin'' or ''gokuin-gin'' would be marked with numbers, ''kanji'', ''[[kao|kaô]]'' (monograms), or crests, indicating the firm's certification. The term ''hankin'' would later be used in the Edo period to refer chiefly to ''ôban'' coins, but in fact the term could be applied to all certified & marked pieces of gold.

In the Sengoku period (1467-1600), and especially as Japan began to become more integrated in the mid-to-late 16th century, regional ''daimyô'' began to expand their mining efforts, and gold and silver came to be more widely circulated, and exported. Gold dust had long been a common element in gifts (tribute) paid by samurai lords and shogunates to the Imperial Court; bags of gold dust of a designated size, called ''nô'' (納), were valued at 20 ''ryô''.<ref name=kobata101>Kobata. p101.</ref> In the central regions of the country, where mining was most prevalent, taxes came to increasingly be paid in gold and silver; this was then exchanged for coins or rice. ''Kin'ya'' and ''gin'ya'' (gold and silver dealers) emerged and enabled these conversion (exchange) transactions. These dealers, along with firms officially licensed by the local lord, called ''ginza'' or ''tenbinza'', also dealt in producing, and certifying, pieces of gold and silver with a designated level of refinement or quality. Certified pieces, called ''hankin'' or ''gokuin-gin'' would be marked with numbers, ''kanji'', ''[[kao|kaô]]'' (monograms), or crests, indicating the firm's certification. The term ''hankin'' would later be used in the Edo period to refer chiefly to ''ôban'' coins, but in fact the term could be applied to all certified & marked pieces of gold.

For the sake of convenience, the ''ryô'' was, for a time in the late 16th century, devalued to four ''monme'' four ''bu''. Around the same time, the denomination ''mai'', equal to ten ''ryô'', was briefly used.

For the sake of convenience, the ''ryô'' was, for a time in the late 16th century, devalued to four ''monme'' four ''bu''. Around the same time, the denomination ''mai'', equal to ten ''ryô'', was briefly used.

Coins were minted from time to time in the Sengoku period by various local/regional power-holders, including lesser ''daimyô'', as well as the likes of [[Oda Nobunaga]]. [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], after securing control over most of the archipelago, minted coins as well. The so-called ''[[Tenshô-hishi-ôban]]'', an ''ôban'' coin shaped like a chestnut (''hishi''), was first minted in [[1588]], the sixteenth year of the Tenshô era; similar coins continued to be made for several years afterwards. However, the vast majority of such coins produced in the 16th century were ten ''ryô'' coins, produced to be given as gifts to loyal commanders, or for other similar purposes, and not for general circulation.<ref>Kobata. p105.</ref>  

Coins were minted from time to time in the Sengoku period by various local/regional power-holders, including lesser ''daimyô'', as well as the likes of [[Oda Nobunaga]]. [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], after securing control over most of the archipelago, minted coins as well. The so-called ''[[Tenshô-hishi-ôban]]'', an ''ôban'' coin shaped like a chestnut (''hishi''), was first minted in [[1588]], the sixteenth year of the Tenshô era; similar coins continued to be made for several years afterwards. However, the vast majority of such coins produced in the 16th century were ten ''ryô'' coins, produced to be given as gifts to loyal commanders, or for other similar purposes, and not for general circulation.<ref>Kobata. p105.</ref>

==Edo Period==

==Edo Period==