Rice Bales
In feudal Japan, before coins became widespread, rice was king. Measured in units called “koku,” one bale of rice could feed a man for a year—and that made it a perfect stand-in for money. Samurai were even paid in rice rather than gold.
Rice wasn’t just a meal—it was a tax, a salary, and an economic unit. Entire castle treasuries were stocked with rice, protected like bullion. As food and fortune, it literally fueled the economy.
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