Changes

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).  

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.  

Ammunition for the teppo came in a variety of sizes, which was measured in weight instead of diameter (Bryant p.g. 35). 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 (Bryant p.g. 35). 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.  

Although the teppo came in a variety of calibers, many daimyo standardized their teppo’s bores; this allowed for quick loading and allowed soldiers to use each other’s ammunition, when ammo became short (Turnbull p.g. 135).

Although the teppo came in a variety of calibers, many daimyo standardized their teppo’s bores; this allowed for quick loading and allowed soldiers to use each other’s ammunition, when ammo became short (Turnbull p.g. 135).

Ammunition for the matchlock was made from casting solid lead. The lead that was being used for the ammunition was a major import from Europe. It was a suitable metal because of its malleability and high density (Samurai-Archives  

Ammunition for the matchlock was made from casting solid lead. The lead that was being used for the ammunition was a major import from Europe. It was a suitable metal because of its malleability and high density (Samurai-Archives 2005; Nihon no Bijutsu #390).

 

Samurai 1150-1600

Samurai 1150-1600

Anthony J. Bryant

Anthony J. Bryant