Archaic term used primarily on ancient Japanese coins, such as 和同開珎 (wadōkaichin) and other early minted currencies. Not used in modern Japanese for general money.
Wadōkaichin is considered one of the oldest Japanese currencies.
Many old coins are inscribed with 'tsūhō'.
Mannen Tsūhō; ancient Japanese coin first minted in 760 CE
Hōei Tsūhō; coin of the Hōei period
Kan'ei Tsūhō; copper coin of the Edo period
From Chinese 通寶 (tōngbǎo), a term used on ancient Chinese and Japanese coins meaning 'circulating treasure'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it was adopted in Japan for early minted currency.