Silver coin 2 Oz Warrior's path - Sohei

A two-ounce silver coin featuring Sóhei monks is the third issue in the Way of the Warrior series, inspired by Japanese history.

Buddhism originated in ancient India, but its ideas were gradually adopted by neighboring peoples as well. In the Middle Ages, it spread as far as Japan, where a number of monasteries were established. The monks who lived there devoted their lives to meditation and the study of sacred texts. One of the main pillars of their faith was nonviolence. Causing pain or suffering to any living being was taboo, but when necessary, Buddhists did not hesitate to take up arms. Japanese monasteries were not merely spiritual centers; they owned vast tracts of land, collected taxes, and vied for political influence. To protect their interests, they formed their own armed units, which became known as sōhei. “Warrior monks” were feared opponents on the battlefield. They were renowned above all for their mastery of the naginata—a long pole weapon with a curved blade—but they were also among the first to use firearms. The power of the sóhei grew over the centuries until it began to threaten the country’s rulers themselves. Daimyō Nobunaga Oda, whose goal was to unify Japan, recognized them as a threat and thus decided to crush them. His armies attacked the most powerful monasteries; thousands of monks perished in battle and in the flames, and the glorious era of the warrior monks came to an end. Yet stories about them have survived and continue to remind us to this day that the sword and prayer are not mutually exclusive…

The reverse side of the coin depicts a Sōhei monk training with a deadly naginata, with the rising sun, a symbol of Japan behind him. The armed warrior contrasts with the surrounding landscape dotted with ancient trees and quiet temples. The richly decorated obverse side is dedicated to the essential attributes of the coin’s issuer, the island of Niue. Therefore, it bears its national coat of arms, the nominal value of 5 DOLLARS (NZD), and the year of issue 2026. All of this stands out in high relief, enhanced by patina and gold plating.

The mintage of this coin by T&S Coin is limited to just 500 pieces.