Yen (「円」?; en; circle; Yen) is the standardized currency used throughout Nippon. Yen can be acquired via defeating enemies in Demon scrolls, selling items, breaking objects, or digging. The primary use for Yen is the purchase of items and Divine Instruments that Amaterasu or Chibiterasu need throughout their journeys. Yen can also be used to purchase dōjō techniques at Onigiri-Sensei's dōjōs. Another use of Yen is at Divine springs, where the player can make offerings to the respective Celestial Brush gods in order to be granted the ability to use secret Celestial Brush techniques.
The maximum amount of Yen that can be carried at one time depends on the game. In Ōkami, a fully upgraded purse can hold up to ¥99,999,999, while in Ōkamiden, the purse can hold up to ¥9,999,999. In both games, however, money will transfer over to New Game+.
Behind the scenes
In the Japanese versions Yen is called ryō(「両」?; ryō; obsolete unit of Japanese money), a unit of money that came to Japan during the Kamakura Era. Hence there are discrepancies between the real world currency of modern yen and what appears in the games.