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Many Japanese blacksmiths were accomplished artisans who produced complex suits of armor and were masters of the intricate, time-consuming process used to produce Japanese swords. They found that manufacturing this new firearm was relatively simple for them; the barrel of the rifle was simple to create, simply by wrapping hot iron around a rod and force welding it shut made it, then fitting it into the stock of the gun. The gun’s firing mechanism was made from solid brass<ref>Bryant page 49</ref>.

Many Japanese blacksmiths were accomplished artisans who produced complex suits of armor and were masters of the intricate, time-consuming process used to produce Japanese swords. They found that manufacturing this new firearm was relatively simple for them; the barrel of the rifle was simple to create, simply by wrapping hot iron around a rod and force welding it shut made it, then fitting it into the stock of the gun. The gun’s firing mechanism was made from solid brass<ref>Bryant page 49</ref>.

The Japanese teppo was not only easy to construct but also simple to operate. The gunner would simply hold the teppo straight using his shoulder as a brace. After opening the priming pan and pulling the trigger a spring would release the serpentine, which holds a lit fuse. As the burning fuse hit the priming pan full of powder, the matchlock would fire. Excess lengths of fuse could be wrapped around the stock of the gun or the gunner’s forearm<ref>Turnbull p.g. 137</ref>.

The Japanese teppo, also known as ''hinawajû'' ("fuse gun") was not only easy to construct but also simple to operate. The gunner would simply hold the teppo straight using his shoulder as a brace. After opening the priming pan and pulling the trigger a spring would release the serpentine, which holds a lit fuse (''hinawa'', lit. "fire rope"). As the burning fuse hit the priming pan full of powder, the matchlock would fire. Excess lengths of fuse could be wrapped around the stock of the gun or the gunner’s forearm<ref>Turnbull p.g. 137</ref>.

Compared to the Japanese bow, the teppo had a more superior range. The matchlock had an effective killing range of 50 meters and a maximum range of 500 meters, compared to the bow, having a killing range of 30 meters and a maximum range of only 380 meters<ref>Bryant p.g. 49</ref>.

Compared to the Japanese bow, the teppo had a more superior range. The matchlock had an effective killing range of 50 meters and a maximum range of 500 meters, compared to the bow, having a killing range of 30 meters and a maximum range of only 380 meters<ref>Bryant p.g. 49</ref>.

Ammunition for the teppo came in a variety of sizes, which was measured in weight instead of diameter<ref>Bryant p.g. 35</ref>. Sizes ranged from as small as 1 monme (8.5mm) to as large as 100 monme (48mm, or nearly 2 inches in diameter). Many large caliber teppo (also known as “wall guns”) had large recoil, that bails of rice were used to support the gunners back.  

Ammunition for the teppo came in a variety of sizes, which was measured in weight instead of diameter<ref>Bryant p.g. 35</ref>. Sizes ranged from as small as 1 monme (8.5mm) to as large as 100 monme (48mm, or nearly 2 inches in diameter). Many large caliber teppo (also known as “wall guns”) had large recoil, that bails of rice were used to support the gunners back. Large ''teppô'' known as ''ôzutsu'' were used from horseback, or mounted onto fortifications.<ref>Gallery label, [https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/16129805997/in/dateposted-public/ Hyôei, Hinawajû (Matchlock Gun)], Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 17 Jan 2015.</ref>

[[Image:Matchlockpistol.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A decorative Edo period matchlock pistol, or ''bajô zutsu''.]]

[[Image:Matchlockpistol.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A decorative Edo period matchlock pistol, or ''bajô zutsu''.]]