TOKYO, JAPAN.- The Tokyo National Museum presents "Okawa Collection of Premodern Japanese Coins," on view through Sunday, September 1, 2002. In March 2002, Mr. Ôkawa Isao’s collection of 104 premodern Japanese coins was graciously donated to the Tokyo National Museum by the Sega Corporation. This catalogue attends the exhibition of these coins in the Donors Gallery, an exhibition space newly created in 2001. Mr. Ôkawa, former director of the Sega Corporation, was an important player in the world of business. At the same time, he was busy amassing this significant collection of premodern coins.



Mr. Ôkawa’s collection, focusing on coins of the Edo period and containing a number of rare coins from earlier periods as well, is important for understanding the history of early modern coins in Japan. These coins have artistic and historical value as standard specimens of premodern Japanese coins due to their nearly mint condition.



We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude that thanks to this donation we are able to spread the enjoyment of these coins beyond the relatives of the Mr. Ôkawa and the Sega Corporation to a wider public, and hope the collection will continued to be enjoyed for centuries to come.