 |
| Korea 100 Yen in Gold or Nippon Ginko Note 1911 Bank of Chosen, Daikoku |
Korea 100 Yen in Gold Banknote Daikoku 1911 Bank of Chosen, Meiji Year 44
Obverse: Classic design depicting Daikoku (God of Fortune, God of Wealth, commerce and trade) sitting on rice bales with sack over his shoulder.
Reverse: Inscription - The Bank of Chosen Promises to Pay the Bearer on Demand ONE HUNDRED YEN in Gold or Nippon Ginko Note
The bank was established by the Governor-General of Korea in 1910 as the Kankoku Ginkō, taking the place of the privately held Korean branch of Daiichi Kokuritsu Ginkō (First National Bank), which had established a branch in 1878. After the annexation of Korean Empire by Japan in 1910, the bank was reorganized and its name was changed to reflect the official name for Korea.
The bank remained a privately held corporation with stock owned by a number of Japanese banks and companies; however, its board was appointed by the Governor-General of Korea.
The bank was responsible for issuing currency in Korea, regulated domestic prices, and serviced international trade with branches in Manchukuo, and major ports in China and in Japan, as well as in London and New York.
The bank was dissolved in 1950, and replaced by the newly formed Bank of Korea.
Daikoku-ten
In Japan, Daikokuten (大黒天), the god of great darkness or blackness, or the god of five cereals, is one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Daikokuten evolved from the Buddhist form of the Indian deity Shiva intertwined with the Shinto god Ōkuninushi. The name is the Japanese equivalent of Mahākāla, the Buddhist name for Shiva.
The god enjoys an exalted position as a household deity in Japan. Daikoku's association with wealth and prosperity precipitated a custom known as fukunusubi, or "theft of fortune". This custom started with the belief that whoever stole divine figures was assured of good fortune if not caught in the act. In the course of time, stealing divine images became so common a practice in Japan that the Toshi-no-ichi "year-end market" held at Sensō-ji became the main venue of the sale and disposal of such images by the fortune-seekers. Many small stalls were opened where articles including images of Daikoku were sold on the eve of New Year celebrations.
The Japanese also maintain the symbol of Mahakala as a monogram. The traditional pilgrims climbing the holy Mount Ontake wear tenugui ( a kind of white scarf) with the seed syllable of Mahakala.
Daikoku is variously considered to be the god of wealth, or of the household, particularly the kitchen. He is recognised by his wide face, smile, and a flat black hat. He is often portrayed holding a golden mallet called an Uchide no kozuchi, otherwise known as a magic money mallet, and is seen seated on bales of rice, with mice nearby signifying plentiful food.
Daikoku's image was featured on the first Japanese bank note, designed by Edoardo Chiossone.