Fujita-gumi counterfeit banknotes scandal

This was an incident in which the Fujita-gumi was suspected of colluding with Inoue Kaoru, a native of the Choshu Domain, to issue counterfeit banknotes. In December 1878 (Meiji 11), counterfeit banknotes were discovered amongst tributes such as land taxes from prefectures, and the Fujita-gumi also came under suspicion. In September of the following year, their homes were searched and senior members Fujita Denzaburo and Nakano Goichi were arrested. It was reported that Inoue, who was staying in Germany, had counterfeited banknotes in Germany to use as operating funds for the Fujita-gumi. The incident itself was not related to the Fujita-gumi, but as the group's rapid growth from the early Meiji period onwards was due to its collusion with government bureaucrats who were based in the domains, it became a political issue amid the Freedom and People's Rights Movement that was in effect at the time.

[Kato Kozaburo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

藤田組が長州藩出身の井上馨(かおる)と結託して、贋札を発行したとして嫌疑をかけられた事件。1878年（明治11）12月、府県からの地租などの貢納金のなかに贋札が発見され、藤田組にも嫌疑がかかった。翌年9月には家宅捜索を受け、幹部の藤田伝三郎、中野梧一(ごいち)らが検挙された。ドイツに滞在中の井上が藤田組の営業資金にしようとしてドイツで紙幣を偽造したと伝えられたためである。事件そのものは藤田組に関係なかったが、明治初年以降の藤田組の急激な成長が藩閥政府の官僚との癒着によっていたため、おりからの自由民権運動のなかで政治問題化したのである。

［加藤幸三郎］

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