File:Denkomanbai - Dr. Luke Roberts 01.jpg

Cash coins were sometimes used as charms and clothing decorations, but people began manufacturing coin shaped charms from very early on. The charms often have interesting words and images, and learning what they meant is frequently very difficult but also rewarding. Sometimes the intent is for it to be a talisman, a lucky charm. Sometimes it is has other uses--as a teaching device, or a memnotic device. Some were used as toys for children. One type such coin in Japan was an early form of Hawaiian "pogs," or in Japanese "menko." may the fragrance of the rice field increase ten-thousand fold Here is an interesting charm which I found recently. I call it my farm charm. It is probably Chinese and its characters mean something like "may the fragrance of the rice field increase ten-thousand fold!" This seems to reflect a wish for good crops. What I can't figure out is the meaning of the animal picture on the back. It looks to be a deer, but deer and farmers are natural enemies. Deer destroy the rice crops and farmers scare away or kill deer. Any ideas about why this charm is the way it is? One person has suggested to me that deer traditionally have been a symbol of good crops by virtue of the fact that when chased away the crops do well.