Kii Province, Mount Koya Temple, and Yamato Province, Nara Area, Eight Villages - Keio Era Silver 1 Monme Notes

This collection includes hansatsu (domain-issued paper currency) from Kii Province, issued by Daigoku-in Temple on Mount Koya, and from Yamato Province, specifically the Eight Villages area of Nara. These notes are from the Keio era (1865–1868), offering a rare glimpse into the financial landscape of the late Edo period.

The Daigoku-in Temple, known for its involvement in money-lending, issued silver 1 monme notes. The temple’s strong association with Kōbō Daishi and Tokugawa patronage ensured its credibility, allowing it to operate as a trusted financial institution across multiple regions, including Settsu and Harima.

From the Eight Villages of Nara, these silver 1 monme notes were used as imperial land tax certificates, marking an important method of managing tax payments during the Keio era.

Despite their damaged condition, these notes provide valuable historical insight into the Edo period’s unique financial systems and their connections to religious institutions and local governance.