I've read about this coming change here and there over the past year, but this is the first time I've seen photos. So I thought some of you may be interested.

Japan is changing the design of their money. This will be the first change since 2004. Exciting! Let's take a look at the new designs, but first let's look at the current ones.

Current Bank Notes

On the ¥1,000, we have Hideyo Noguchi (野口 英世), who lived from 1876 to 1928. Noguchi was a scientist primarily known for identifying syphilis as the cause of progressive paralytic disease.

The back has Mt Fuji and cherry blossoms. This is one of the most famous views of the mountain, from Motosuko Lake in Yamanashi Prefecture.

On the ¥5,000, we have Ichiyo Higuchi (樋口一葉), who lived from 1872 to 1896 . She was Japan's first professional female novelist, specializing in short stories and poetry. He career was cut tragically short when she died of tuberculosis at only 24.

The back features a design taken from art by Kourin Ogata.

Finally, on the ¥10,000, we have Yukichi Fukuzawa (福沢諭吉), who lived 1835 to 1901. He was something of a renaissance man and did a lot of stuff, but he is probably most well known for being the founder of Keio University, one of the most prestigious schools in Japan.

The back features a Chinese phoenix from artwork in Byoudouin temple.

Noguchi and Higuchi have been on their bills since 2004, while Fukuzawa has been featured since 1984. They are all well designed bills. There is actually one more, the ¥2000 note. But it is uncommon and will not get a new design. Just for completion sake, here it is.

On the front is Shureimon gate, one of the gates to Okinawa's Shuri castle.

On the back is a scene from the Tale of Genji and author Murasaki Shikibu.

I (and many others) love the design of the note, but there just didn't prove to be much demand for a ¥2000 note (also vending machines never added support; this is usually given as the major reason for the failure of the bill), so it met the same fate as the $2 bill in America.

Anyway, on to the new ones!

The new bank notes will feature economist Eiichi Shibusawa on the ¥10,000, educator Umeko Tsuda on the ¥5,000, and scientist Shibasaburo Kitazato on the ¥1,000.

EDIT: I found a better image of the new ¥10000 that looks much better than the above:

And the backs show Tokyo station, some wisteria, and Hokusai's Great Wave artwork.

These aren't very good photos. Blame yahoo.jp. I trust they will look better in person. But they do look like attractive designs. When I actually see these in person in 2 years when they are released, I'll be sure to do a post with better photos.

Anyway, there you go. Most of you may not care, but people who collect bills and coins may be interested.

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David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.

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