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Global Barter / Asia / G047

Asia · Shirakawa-go, Gifu, Japan · G047

Yui Thatch

Neighbours re-thatch a steep roof in a day, logged in a ledger.

Front of Yui Thatch: 30 Bundles, inspired by Yui (thatching mutual aid), with actual Noun #53
Front · 150 × 75 mm
Back of Yui Thatch: the Yui (thatching mutual aid) tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #53
Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #53, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Yui Thatch: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #53 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe
Security Edition · front
Security Edition back of Yui Thatch: a color medallion of Noun #53 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story
Security Edition · back
v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · Edo era to now; ledger from 1792

Yui (thatching mutual aid)

In Shirakawa-go's gassho-zukuri villages, yui is mutual help to re-thatch roofs every 20–30 years; each household's labour, thatch and sake went in a yui-cho ledger, the oldest from 1792.

Source: Yui and the Village Community (Japan Tourism Agency / MLIT multilingual database) ↗

How a note would work

Bundles are earned by giving labour or materials to a neighbour's big repair, recorded in a shared ledger, and spent when your turn comes. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition
  • PlaceShirakawa-go, Gifu, Japan
  • EraEdo era to now; ledger from 1792
  • RegionAsia
  • UnitBundle · Bundles
  • Face value30 Bundles
  • SerialGB-G047-N0053
  • NounActual Noun #53 ↗
  • Why this NounA freshly thatched roof looks a lot like a thick head of hair.
  • Headhair
  • Glassessquare black
  • Bodydarkpink
  • Accessorybling anvil
  • Seedbg 0 · body 7 · acc 7 · head 99 · glasses 3