Obverse design: Usa Shrine and Futabayama. Usa shrine is the head of Hachiman-gu shrines, a series of more than forty thousand shrines in Japan. In 725, the inner shrine, Ichi–no–Goten, was founded in the same place as present. The existing inner shrines were built in the late 19th century, and were designated as National Treasures of Japan in 1952. This year, 2012, is the 60th anniversary from the designation. Futabayama: Born in Usa, Oita (1912-1968). He was the 35th yokozuna, the highest rank in sumo wrestling. He achieved 69 consecutive victories from 1936 to 1939, which has been the record for more than 70 years. In 1946, at the age of 34, he retired and assumed the sumo elder's name of Tokitsukaze as a sumo coach. Later, he became a chairman of the Japan Sumo Association and made a great contribution to the development of sumo world. Common reverse design of 1000 yen silver coin: Snow Crystals, Moon and Cherry Blossoms.
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