Momme (unit)

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This article is about a Japanese unit of weight and former currency. For other uses, see Momme.
Momme
匁
Unit
Symbol匁‎ (Momme)
Denominations
Subunit
 1⁄10000Fun (分)
Banknotes1匁
Coins4.6匁,[a] 5匁, 8匁, 9.2匁 10匁
Demographics
User(s)Japan
Issuance
Central bankGinza
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

Momme (匁) is both a Japanese unit of mass and former unit of currency. As a measurement, Momme is part of a table of Japanese units where during the Edo period it was equal to 1⁄10 ryō (aka Tael). Since the Meiji era 1 momme has been reformed to equal exactly 3.75 grams.[2] The latter term for Momme refers to when it was used as a unit of currency during the Edo period in the form of silver coins.[2][3] As a term, the word "Momme" and its symbol "匁" are unique to Japan.[2][4] The Chinese equivalent to Momme is qián (Chinese: 錢), which is also a generic word for "money".[2][5] While the term Momme is no longer used for currency, it survives as a standard unit of measure used by pearl dealers to communicate with pearl producers and wholesalers.[6]

Origin[edit]

See also: Mace (unit)

The Japanese word Momme first appeared in a family book by the Ōuchi clan during the Bunmei era in 1484.[7][8] In the English language the word first appears in the early 1700s per the Oxford English Dictionary, which first traces its usage to Johann Jakob Scheuchzer in 1727.[9]

Currency[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Some of these coins were also valued in units of Fun (分) example: "4 Momme 6 Fun".[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Japan AKITA 4 Momme 6 Fun KM# 10 -1863". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Editorial Committee of the Dictionary of Japanese History (1992). The Great Dictionary of Japanese History. Vol. 13. Yoshikawa Kobunkan. p. 920.
  3. ^ Editorial Committee of the Dictionary of National History (1984). he Great Dictionary of National History. Yoshikawa Kobunkan. p. 697.
  4. ^ Morohashi Rōji, Kamada Tadashi, Yoneyama Torataro (1984). Hirokan-wa Dictionary First Volume. Taishukan Shoten. p. 416.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Koizumi Hajikatsu (1974). Units in History. Sogaku Shuppan. pp. 220–222, 345.
  6. ^ "Cabinet Order No. 357 Unit of Measure Ordinance". Government of Japan. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Hanano Shao. "貨幣から見た匁の変遷". BIGLOBE. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Ōuchi clan family book 13/32 frames". National Institute of Japanese Literature. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Momme". Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
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