This 尾張国／岡田組／壱匁預 note, issued in Meiji 3 (1870), is a futures silver note from the Okada Group in Owari Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture). The note represents a deposit of one 匁 of silver, reflecting the transition from the Edo period's feudal currency system to the Meiji period's modernization efforts.
During this era, Japan was undergoing significant economic and political change as it moved away from a decentralized feudal system and toward a more centralized, national economy. The use of local and regional currency notes like this one was common before the full implementation of a unified national currency.
This Meiji-period note offers a unique glimpse into Japan's financial history during the early years of modernization and the development of a national banking system. It serves as a fascinating artifact from a period of great change in Japanese history.
