Money Tree 揺銭樹

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This 2-meter-tall bronze tree, decorated with more than 400 bronze coins, is known as the 'Money Tree,' and is housed at the Tokyo National Museum. Despite the name, the tree has not only financial significance, but also religious significance.

Many money trees were crafted during the first and second centuries under China's Han dynasty, placed inside tombs as sacred burial art to guide the deceased's soul and ensure infinite wealth in the paradise of Xiwangmu (the Queen Mother of the West).

Japan doesn't have those kinds of trees, but speaking of money, there's said to be a big difference in how people talk about it between eastern and western Japan.

It is said that in eastern Japan, talking about money and bargaining is considered classless and people boast about expensive purchases, whereas in western Japan, people talk about money openly and view bargaining as a form of communication.

I tend to think this difference is largely due to socioeconomic status. The higher your status, the less openly you talk about money—no one would expect imperial family members to discuss money matters openly. Personally, I love bargaining at flea markets, and I don't mind speaking about money openly unless the matter affects my privacy or someone else's. So, if you see someone in Tokyo bargaining at a market, it might be me! 😆

Money Tree

Posted on 8/18/2019

Revised on 10/25/2026

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東京国立博物館の「揺銭樹」です。英語ではずばり Money tree です。古代中国・後漢時代（1〜2世紀頃）に、亡くなった人が死後の世界（仙界）で豊かに暮らせるようにという願いを込めてたくさん作られた青銅製の副葬品だそうです。

初稿　8/18/2019

改訂　10/25/2026

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