The Role of Money

Each person’s interest follow from each person’s history. The role of money is one of the most important issues in the economy. However, the author’s reasons for dealing with it first are rooted not only in economic importance but also personal reasons. An account of these personal reasons will provide a rather unique viewpoint on of the research subject. My paternal ancestor was a samurai positioned “shoinban,” a regular member of the military guard of the inner palace of a feudal lord (Ogasawara Family). In the closing days of the Tokugawa shogunate, my great grand father was appointed to serve as a currency handling officer for his lord. He then became familiar with both for mint technology and money transactions. Due to his connection, my grandfather was successfuly employed as an operative officer by the Mint of the new Japanese government (Osaka Mint) at the begining of the new era established in 1868. Later, my grandfather changed his careers to enter the spinning industry, in which he then became an executive of one of the three major companies. This is a major reason why the author was interested in economics and the role of money. Readers will learn that the role of money will be seen deeply some historical dynamism, although this chapter never investigates the detailed history of money in general. This chapter will simply give a concise understanding an essential part of the creation of money during the modern times.