How did medieval japan get money?

In medieval Japan, there were several ways in which money was obtained:

1. Taxation: The primary source of income for the government was through taxation. Taxes were levied on various resources, such as land, crops, and goods produced by artisans and merchants.

2. Trade: Merchants engaged in domestic and international trade, buying and selling goods for profit. Trade routes connected different regions of Japan, facilitating the exchange of various products.

3. Mining: Japan had abundant mineral resources, particularly gold, silver, and copper. Mining these resources and minting coins was an important source of revenue for the government and feudal lords.

4. Minting: The minting of coins was controlled by the government and some powerful feudal lords. Coins were made of gold, silver, and copper, with varying denominations.

5. Tribute: Feudal lords and vassals often paid tribute to their superiors in the form of goods, crops, or other valuable items. This was a way of showing loyalty and maintaining political alliances.

6. Commerce: Markets and marketplaces thrived in medieval Japan, where artisans, merchants, and farmers sold their goods to the public. Commercial activities contributed to the circulation of money in the economy.

7. Overseas Trade: Japan engaged in limited overseas trade with neighboring countries like China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. This allowed for the import of certain luxury goods and raw materials in exchange for Japanese products.

These methods of obtaining money contributed to the functioning of the economy during medieval Japan and facilitated various economic activities across the country.