Historical Events and Currencies in Use

Ancient Times Latter half of the 7th century - Middle of the 12th century

Latter half of the 7th century: Coins used before the mintage of Wado Kaichin
Beginning of the 8th century: Issuance of Wado Kaichin
From the 8th to 10th centuries: Decline in the usage of coins
From the 11th century to the middle of the 12th century: Use of commodity money

Find out more

Medieval Times Middle of the 12th century - First half of the 16th century

From the middle of the 12th century to the 13th century: Inflow and spread of the use of coins
From the 14th century to the latter half of the 15th century: Development of the commodity economy and an increase in demand for coins
From the latter half of the 15th century to the first half of the 16th century: Erizeni

Find out more

Early Modern Times Middle of the 16th century - First half of the 19th century

From the middle to late 16th century: Disruption of the inflow of coins from China and the appearance of gold and silver coins
Latter half of the 16th century: Spreading use of gold and silver coins
17th century: Unification of gold, silver and copper coins
17th century: Appearance of paper money and circulation of clan notes (hansatsu)
From the end of 17th century to the first half of the 18th century: Genroku and Hoei recoinages
First half of the 18th century: Shotoku and Kyoho recoinages
Middle of the 18th century: Genbun recoinage Middle of the 18th century to the 19th century: Appearance of silver coins with denominations
First half of the 19th century: Bunsei and Tenpo recoinages

Find out more

Modern Times Middle of the 19th century - First half of the 20th century

Middle of the 19th century: Currency and the conclusion of Ansei five-power treaties
Latter half of the 19th century: The massive outflow of gold coins, and the Man’en recoinage
Latter half of the 19th century —from 1868 to the first half of the 1870s: Currency system established by the Meiji government—Birth of the yen
Latter half of the 19th century —the latter half of the 1870s: Issuance of “national bank” notes and a decline in the value of paper money
Latter half of the 19th century —the 1880s: Birth of the Bank of Japan
From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century (from the 1890s to the 1910s): Establishment of the gold standard system
First half of the 20th century —the 1920s: Outbreak of the financial crisis
First half of the 20th century —the 1930s: From the gold standard system to the managed currency system

Find out more