1000 Yen 1963, Japan
in Krause book | Number: 96b |
Years of issue: | 01.11.1963 |
Edition: | |
Signatures: | no signature |
Serie: | Serie C (1963 - 1969) |
Specimen of: | 01.11.1963 |
Material: | Cotton fiber |
Size (mm): | 164 x 76 |
Printer: | National Printing Bureau, Tokyo |
* All pictures marked are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.

Description
Watermark:
Itō Hirobumi.
Avers:
Regarding the red seals: the obverse shows a facsimile of the official seal of the bank director, and the reverse shows a facsimile of the official seal of the chief cashier of the Bank of Japan.
The engraving on banknote is made after this portrait of Itō Hirobumi.
Prince Itō Hirobumi (伊藤 博文?, October 16, 1841 - October 26, 1909) was a samurai of Chōshū domain, Japanese statesman, four time Prime Minister of Japan (the 1st, 5th, 7th and 10th), genrō and Resident-General of Korea. In 1885, based on European ideas, Itō established a cabinet system of government, replacing the Daijō-kan as the decision-making state organization, and on December 22, 1885, he became the first prime minister of Japan. Itō was assassinated by Korean nationalist An Jung-geun.
Lower are branches of chrysanthemum flowers.
In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Emperor and Imperial family. In particular, a "chrysanthemum crest" (菊花紋章, kikukamonshō or kikkamonshō), i.e. a mon of chrysanthemum blossom design, indicates a link to the Emperor; there are more than 150 patterns on this design.
Chrysanthemum traditionally depicted on coins and state emblem of Japan, one of the highest awards of the country - Order of the Chrysanthemum. Also, 16-petal yellow chrysanthemum is depicted in the officially adopted in 1889 by the Imperial Japanese print.
Around are the flowers of Sakura.
In Japan, cherry blossoms also symbolize clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse, besides being an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, an aspect of Japanese cultural tradition that is often associated with Buddhistic influence, and which is embodied in the concept of mono no aware. The association of the cherry blossom with mono no aware dates back to 18th-century scholar Motoori Norinaga. The transience of the blossoms, the extreme beauty and quick death, has often been associated with mortality; for this reason, cherry blossoms are richly symbolic, and have been utilized often in Japanese art, manga, anime, and film, as well as at musical performances for ambient effect. There is at least one popular folk song, originally meant for the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), titled "Sakura", and several pop songs. The flower is also represented on all manner of consumer goods in Japan, including kimono, stationery, and dishware.
The Sakurakai or Cherry Blossom Society was the name chosen by young officers within the Imperial Japanese Army in September 1930 for their secret society established with the goal of reorganizing the state along totalitarian militaristic lines, via a military coup d'état if necessary.
During World War II, the cherry blossom was used to motivate the Japanese people, to stoke nationalism and militarism among the populace. Even prior to the war, they were used in propaganda to inspire "Japanese spirit," as in the "Song of Young Japan," exulting in "warriors" who were "ready like the myriad cherry blossoms to scatter". In 1932, Akiko Yosano's poetry urged Japanese soldiers to endure sufferings in China and compared the dead soldiers to cherry blossoms. Arguments that the plans for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, involving all Japanese ships, would expose Japan to serious danger if they failed, were countered with the plea that the Navy be permitted to "bloom as flowers of death". The last message of the forces on Peleliu was "Sakura, Sakura" - cherry blossoms. Japanese pilots would paint them on the sides of their planes before embarking on a suicide mission, or even take branches of the trees with them on their missions. A cherry blossom painted on the side of the bomber symbolized the intensity and ephemerality of life; in this way, the aesthetic association was altered such that falling cherry petals came to represent the sacrifice of youth in suicide missions to honor the emperor. The first kamikaze unit had a subunit called Yamazakura or wild cherry blossom. The government even encouraged the people to believe that the souls of downed warriors were reincarnated in the blossoms.
In its colonial enterprises, imperial Japan often planted cherry trees as a means of "claiming occupied territory as Japanese space".
Denominations in numerals are in lower left and top right corners. In words centered.
Revers:
The Old bank building in Tokyo, Japan.
Headquarters of the Bank of Japan is located in the Nihonbashi, Chuo district, Tokyo, on the place of former gold mint (Kinza), and not by accident, near the famous Ginza district, whose name means "silver mint". The building built in a neo-baroque style and designed by artist Tatsuno Kingo in 1896.
The head office of the Bank of Japan consists of the Old Building, the New Building and the Annex Building.
The former main building, the oldest part of the Old Building, was built in 1896. With the Geihin-kan (the state guest-house) in Akasaka, Tokyo, it is one of the best examples of western-style architecture of the Meiji era (1868-1912) and is designated an important cultural property.
The "Neo-Baroque" architecture of the Old Building combines the Baroque style seen in the pillars and dome with the Renaissance style represented in the orderly placing of windows. The Old Building is said to have been modeled on Belgium's central bank building.
The Bank building has underground vault outer door on B1 level. This vault had been in use for 108 years, from its installation in 1896 until June 2004.
The door was installed in 1932 at the time the vault space was expanded from its original size. The door, which is 90-cm thick and weighs 25 tons (door: 15 tons; frame: 10 tons) was made in the United States.
There is one story in Japan:
"A president of York Safe & Lock Co., the vault's manufacturer, apparently told his son, who was leaving home for the Pacific War front, "You will eventually reach mainland Japan, then go and visit the Bank of Japan and see whether the vault door is working fine. We have made it, and if it is not functioning well, or has any trouble, it will be a shame on the company's honor."
After the war came to an end, the son visited the Bank and confirmed that the door was working properly, which he then reported to his father. Upon hearing of this episode, the relevant Bank staff members were deeply impressed by this manufacturer's sense of responsibility."
The full round trip in old and new Bank of Japan buildings zou can see here Bank of Japan Virtual tour
Three denominations are in numerals.
Comments:
Black serial number printed from 1963 till 1976.
Blue serial number - from 1976 till 1986.
If you find my work useful I will be grateful for any help in supporting the site.
-
PayPal
-
For users of European Union banking system