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和同開珎 (わどうかいちん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

和わ同どう開かい珎ちん

also: わどうかいほう

わ

ど

う

か

い

ち

ん

Meanings

1

Wadōkaichin; Japan's first circulated coinage

historical term

Historical term for the first widely circulated coin in Japan, minted in 708 CE. Often mentioned alongside 和同開珎 and 富本銭.

See also: 和銅 · 富本銭

和わ同どう開かい

珎ちん

は

708

年ねん

に

鋳ちゅう

造ぞう

さ

れ

た

日本にほん

最さい

古こ

の

流りゅう

通つう

貨か

幣へい

と

さ

れる

。

Wadōkaichin is considered Japan's oldest circulated coinage, minted in 708.

歴れき史しの授じゅ業ぎょうで和わ同どう開かい珎ちんと富ふ本ほん銭せんの違ちがいを学まなんだ。

In history class, we learned the difference between Wadōkaichin and Fuhonsen.

Kanji

和harmony, Japanese style, peace
同same, agree, equal
開open, unfold, unseal
珎precious, valuable, rare

Related words

富ふ本ほん銭せん
An earlier coin-like object, but its status as true currency is debated; 和同開珎 is widely accepted as the first circulated coin.

Written forms

和同開珎
- わどうかいちん
  Standard kanji spelling for this historical coin.
- わどうかいほう
  Alternate reading; わどうかいちん is more common.
わどうかいほう

Etymology

The name derives from the era name 和銅 (Wadō) and the inscription 開珎 (kaichin), meaning 'opening treasure' or 'newly issued currency'. The exact derivation of the reading かいちん vs. かいほう is uncertain.