The Mine Token Called a Kippu or Tanken (Each with Crests of a Mine Owner) Which Had Annoyed Pit Workers until around 1917
1958 - 1963

Taisho Rokunen Koro made Kofu o Nayamashita Yama no Kippu Tanken (Subete Koshi no Jomon-iri)
[The Mine Token Called a Kippu or Tanken (Each with Crests of a Mine Owner) Which Had Annoyed Pit Workers until around 1917]
21.3 x 30.4 cm Ink Painting

Text at the Top Left
The mine token was not usable except in the pit which issued it. The people in each pit exchanged their tokens for cash when they were in need of it, paying an exorbitant commission (mesen). There were many exchangers making excessive profits by taking advantage of this system.

Text at the Bottom
Denominations of mine tokens were 5 kin (0.005 yen), 5 rin (0.005 yen), 1 sen (0.01 yen), 5 sen (0.05 yen), 10 sen (0.1 yen), 50 sen (0.5 yen), and 1,000 kin or 1 yen. Later also 2-sen (0.02-yen) tokens and 20-sen (0.2-yen) tokens were issued.
The people at that time nicknamed a person with big eyes a "Niho Kippu." It was because the value of the kippus of Niho Coal Pit was reduced to almost nothing after they were exchanged. The commission was deducted (me o hiku) as if the above person's attractive (me o hiku) face with big eyes became worthless if the person's eyes were removed (me o hiku). The tokens of Tadakuma Coal Pit and Aida Coal Pit could be also used in town and were popular. Among mine tokens, those of Niho Coal Pit were especially notorious.

Lettering on the Kippus
Senkin: 1 yen
Jukkin: 0.01 yen
Gokin: 0.005 yen
Sumitomo: company name
Tadakuma: a place name in Kaho County


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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