20 Sen

The 1882 series marks a pivotal moment in Japanese paper currency — these notes were issued under the authority of the Daijo-kan, the Grand Council of State, which was itself abolished in December 1885 when the modern cabinet system replaced it. Notes from this issuing framework were thus printed under a governmental structure that no longer existed within a few years of their appearance, making the "Dai Nippon Teikoku Seifu" designation here historically transitional rather than routine.

The Insatsu-kyoku had been producing government paper since the early Meiji period, initially relying on imported techniques before developing domestic intaglio capability. By 1882 the bureau was technically capable but still refining its security printing.