Japanese coins catalog and price guide
How to read Japanese coins
Tokugawa (Edo) shogunate
The Togugawa shogunate (named after the
rulers) or Edo (named after the capital) was formed as a result
of the unification of Japan by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603.
Shogun is the commander in chief. During the shogunate, the
emperor had no real power. Formally, he was considered the head
of the country and was even considered a “living god,” but he
officially delegated his powers to the shogun. The imperial
capital was in Kyoto.
In the mid-19th century, active penetration of Western countries
(primarily the United States) into Japan began. Under pressure,
several trade agreements were signed that infringed on Japan's
rights. Protests and killings of foreigners began. In response,
in September 1864, the combined fleet of England, the United
States, France and the Netherlands bombarded the opposition
stronghold of Choshu.
In 1866, the shogun accepted the foreigners' ultimatum. The
death of Emperor Osahito galvanized opponents of Tokugawa Keiki.
In January 1868, the shogun was defeated in battle and fled.
On January 3, 1868, the new Emperor Meiji issued the Decree on
the Restoration of Imperial Rule.
Empire of Japan (since 1868)
Japanese yen symbol - ¥
Japanese yen code - JPY
Mutsuhito (1868-1912), Yoshihito (1912-1926) and Hirohito (1926-1947)
Hirohito (1948-1989), Akihito (1989-2019) and Naruhito (since 2019)
Commemorative coins
China-Japanese puppet states
Provisional Government of China