money counting in Japan

How to count money - Horizontal Counting (Yoko-Yomi)

Let's see how to do "Horizontal Counting".

(How to spread)
Money counting experts spread the money like a fan. It seems difficult but it is not actually.

When you need to count the number of copier paper, you may grab both end of the paper and wave it to make it slide. Basical movement in horizontal counting is the same but the place to hold and way to wave is slightly different.

Occasinally, there are people who says the money spread out in different direction, but he can spread out whichever directions he likes when he handling copier paper.

Now take 50 notes in your hand and slide it sideways as you do with cpier papers. When you doing this, you should pushing end of the note by your fingers. Please remember how you are pushing.

Next. Add bending action to this. Do it slowly. Bend the upper half of the note left & right.
You should have manage to spread the note in this way as well.

Place your both thumbs at the center and 3cm above lower end of the note. Repeat the same action you've just done. If you feel difficult, adjust your postion of thumb.

If you get used to it, then release one thumb, left or right, and hold the note only with one thumb. Place the released thumb just beside gently.

If you hold the note with your right thumb then the note will spread to left, and vice versa,

If you are left handed, then just swap left & right.

(point to check)
If you get used to horizontal counting, then you can spread the money quite easily with only one hand, and another hand is just to support.

One problem you may have is the note does not spread enough at the end of the fan. Please check if your hand is not preventing the money to spread. Also you shold not hold the note too strong with your thumb. As the money spread, you may adjust the position of your hand and that will help the money to spread evenly and nicely.

(count "4" or "5")
After you spread the money, now you should start counting. You can count 4 notes or 5 notes in each countings. We recommend "4", because it is the number that human can recognize at a glance.

(how to use right hand)
When you counting, extend an index finger and place it back of the note. Use your thumb to count 4 notes and then push it through to the other side of the index finger.

(viewing diagonally)
Some small tips at last. With a horizontal counting, try to look the notes slightly from a side or diagonally. That will help you to find out sticking note more easily,

Horizontal counting is a very useful and fast way to count money. We hope this video was helpful for your training.