Natsume Sōseki 1867 – 1916 on the banknote of 100 Japanese Yens

The Yen (Japanese yen) is the currency used in Japan and is widely spread as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar and the Euro. The symbol for a yen is ¥ but in the Japanese hieroglyphic system Kanji the symbol is 円 and it stands for a “round object”. The yen is introduced in 1872 similar to other European currencies. It has replaced the complex monetary system of that time. There were subdivisions called sen that were equal to 0.01 of the yen and rin, equal to 0.001 of the yen. Since 1954 these subdivisions are no longer used. On the banknote of 1000 Japanese yen (the Japanese banknote with a lowest value) is the portrait of Natsume Sōseki - one of the most significant writers from the Meidji Era. Besides his novels and novellas, he is also renowned for his haiku poetry, Chinese poetry and children’s stories.