2019-10-04 Fri

The Japanese desired to expand their influence on all Asia and initiated a full-scale attack on ill-prepared Chinese in 1937. To do this they staged an “incident” at the Marco Polo Bridge outside Peking, provoking Chinese troops to fire upon the Japanese, thereby justifying the subsequent invasion and occupation of North China. Japan’s North China Expeditionary Army quickly overran the northern provinces.

A puppet government, known as the Provisional Government of North China, was then set up to administer the area. The newly created Federal Reserve Bank of China was its financial arm. The bank’s notes initially were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Peking. These well-executed notes are fine examples of the engravers’ art. They depict many well-known Chinese places including the Forbidden City, the Marco Polo Bridge, Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace. By using so many images associated with Chinese culture, the Japanese no doubt was currying favour with their newly “liberated” subjects.

After invading North China in 1937, the Japanese puppet government set up the Federal Reserve Bank of China as its financial arm. The 1938 series of notes featured Confucius hurling an insult at the Japanese by using an indecent gesture with his hands. Confucius was traditionally shown with his hands clasped in prayer, as seen at right.

Image Courtesy: Google images