The disappearance from circulation of copper coins and the expansion of police powers in the mid-Heian era (tenth to eleventh century)

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  • 平安中期の銅銭流通途絶と使庁権力拡充の問題
  • ヘイアン チュウキ ノ ドウセン リュウツウ トゼツ ト シチョウ ケンリョク カクジュウ ノ モンダイ

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As the authority of the Heian court grew weaker from the ninth century, the value of copper coins gradually fell, and at the end of the tenth century they ceased to circulate. This is the currently accepted theory. In fact, however, the value of copper coins remained stable throughout the tenth century. Moreover, they suddenly ceased to circulate in 984. In the meantime the court began to restrain the unilateral price levels on some commodities at the beginning of tenth century, and from the middle of the tenth century used its police powers to strengthen price controls. The power of the police was further expanded during this century. The copper coins were discontinued during the rule of the KAZAN Emperor (984-986). These phenomena show that the real reason for the disappearance from circulation of these copper coins was not in fact the political weakening of the Heian court, but the expansion of its police powers in the tenth century.

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