Japanese banknotes are patterned with highly intricate, geometrical designs of a style known as guilloche, or saimon in Japanese. Guilloche was first introduced to Japan in the beginning of the 19th century. Its complexity not only produces aesthetically pleasing patterns, but it is also difficult to forge, which is why such patterns are used on banknotes as a security measure.

Saimon patterns on a Meiji Era Japanese banknote (1883)

This exhibition focuses on both artistic and functional aspects of guilloche in Japan — its development in design and technology. Some of the saimon patterns on display are being shown to the public for the first time; till March 3.