Money Pouch?

[Andi B.]

Hello,
I want to find out more about my stuff and here I have a little leather pouch with integrated coin(?) case (diameter 0,8 inch).
Does anybody knows, what it actually is and how it is called in Japanese? Thx!

[Bugyotsuji]

Andi, these are called ‘Hayamichi’ and they have a long history, although you’ll find very few people in Japan today who know either the word or their use. Too much to write in one post!

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning Andi and Piers

 

Did the Hayamichi morph in to the  Inden Bukuro?

 

"Too much to write in one Post!"

 

Now you've got my interest..........

 

[Bugyotsuji]

In an ideal world I would point out some areas of interest and Andi would go off in the search for further knowledge! 

 

Notice

1. The top section functions like a Netsuke, but it has a waterproof compartment.

2. The vertical flat back joining section fits behind the obi, and is of the standard height of an obi.

3. The bottom pouch functions as the inro section, a container for zeni coins etc.

4. They usually had two holes for the locking strings, i.e. strings which pulled around the Hayamichi and obi in order to prevent accidental slippage and/or to discourage thieving fingers.

 

Hayamichi are recorded as having been used by pilgrims to Ise in the early Edo period, also by *runners for early postal systems. They probably started out as Netsuke/Sagemono sets but evolved into something more rugged, like the leather example of Andi's above. Various kinds of leather were used from coarse to fine deer skin........ and even inden.

 

The word 'Hayamichi' also has the meaning of relays of message/letter runners in general.

[Andi B.]

Thanks Piers!

I started searching and your hint with 'hayamichi' helped to find similar pieces.

But your detailed information is great!

Mostly you only find data like material, dimensiones etc. in cataloges which are obvious but these background stories like actual usage or legends behind the decorative parts are the interesting stuff!

[Brian]

Thanks for the education Piers, really interesting!

[Baka Gaijin]

"Thanks for the education Piers, really interesting!"

 

I heartily second that.

 

Am I going in the right direction by thinking that this was worn under the obi, on the right hip,  with the top section protruding above and the bottom "Purse" hanging below?

 

Ah, you answered that in section 2. 

[Andi B.]

By the way, I checked the kanji on the back:

"早道" = "Hayamichi"... 🤦🏼‍♂️