A little over a month after their issuance, the new banknotes are finally becoming a more common sight. A special exhibition introducing all things banknote-related, "Figures Depicted on Banknotes: The History of Paper Money as Seen Through Official Documents," is now underway at the National Archives of Japan, near the Palaceside Building.
In 1882, the Bank of Japan was established as the sole bank authorized to issue paper currency, and three years later it issued banknotes bearing the image of Daikokuten, the god of wealth. Specimens of those 100 yen and 1 yen notes are on display. In 1887, the government decided by Cabinet resolution to replace Daikokuten with portraits of historical figures on the various denominations: Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, Takeshiuchi no Sukune, Fujiwara no Kamatari, Prince Shotoku, Wake no Kiyomaro, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and Sugawara no Michizane. Also on display is the document submitted at the time by the finance minister to the prime minister requesting that Cabinet decision, along with an array of nostalgic banknote specimens.
With summer vacation underway, many families with children were among the visitors. The special exhibition runs through September 16. Admission is free.