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The introduction of the European matchlock began in 1545, during the appropriately named Sengoku Jidai (“Period of the Country at War”). At this time Japan had found a trading partner in the Europeans. Spaniard and Portuguese sailors who had sailed through Indian and Asian oceans had crash-landed on the small island of Tanegashima, in 1543. “While on this island the Portuguese had offered one of their matchlock rifles as a gift to the local lord” (Bryant 2002).
After that the Portuguese had begun to openly trade with other cities in Japan; Nagasaki had become a major trade port between the Japanese and Portuguese the traders had brought along with them various novelties, such as wool, velvet, tobacco, clocks and even eyeglasses. But the most popular and less novel item brought to Japan by Europe, was the matchlock rifle.
After that the Portuguese had begun to openly trade with other cities in Japan; Nagasaki had become a major trade port between the Japanese and Portuguese the traders had brought along with them various novelties, such as wool, velvet, tobacco, clocks and even eyeglasses. But the most popular and less novel item brought to Japan by Europe, was the matchlock rifle.
Many of the Daimyo were impressed after seeing the European matchlock; that by 1549 many Daimyo had ordered their weapon smiths to copy and mass-produce this advanced weapon. (Baker 2004) One Daimyo in particular who saw potential in this weapon was Oda Nobunaga, he had placed an order for 500 rifles, the largest order to date (Turnbull p.g.135).
Many of the Daimyo were impressed after seeing the European matchlock; that by 1549 many Daimyo had ordered their weapon smiths to copy and mass-produce this advanced weapon. (Baker 2004) One Daimyo in particular who saw potential in this weapon was Oda Nobunaga, he had placed an order for 500 rifles, the largest order to date (Turnbull p.g.135).