Japan, Kan'ei Tsūhō (Copper) - 1700's - Edo Period

These Kan'ei Tsūhō, valued at 1 mon, were minted by the Japanese during the early Edo Period (1603 - 1768 AD) after centuries of using Chinese coins for trade. They have been privately acquired and inspected for authenticity by the History Hoard team. See also: Japanese 100 Mon Coin - Edo Period A woodcut of the daimyo Fukushima Masanori, a feudal lord of the early Edo Period. The Edo Period: Age of the daimyo When you think of feudal Japan, you're almost certainly thinking of the Edo period. This was the age of the samurai and the daimyo, a coalition of wealthy landowners that effectively ruled Japan. But more than that, the Edo period is known for something else: isolation. Outside trade was heavily regulated, traveling abroad was completely banned, and foreign books were made illegal. Yet despite all, Japan's economy and culture flourished. Japanese isolation finally ended in 1853, when American Commodore Matthew Perry forced open the doors of Japanese trade. The introduction of new goods was disastrous for the Japanese economy, and the Edo period ended with the Meiji Resoration in 1868. These Kan'ei Tsūhō 1 mon coins are some of the few surviving reminders of this period, minted at the height of the samurai and the daimyo's power. Panorama of Edo (now Tokyo), circa 1855 (colorized).