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[[Image:Edo-teppo.JPG|right|thumb|500px|An Edo period matchlock gun. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.]]
[[Image:Edo-teppo.JPG|right|thumb|500px|An Edo period matchlock gun. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.]]
*''Other Names'': 火縄銃 ''(hi nawa juu)''
*''Japanese'': 鉄砲 ''(teppou)''
*''Japanese'': 鉄砲 ''(teppou)''
''Teppô'' is the Japanese term for arquebuses, or matchlocks, the first European firearm to be introduced to Japan. Though some forms of gunpowder weapons existed in Japan earlier, having been introduced from China via Korea or the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryukyus]], European firearms made a major impact upon [[Sengoku period]] samurai warfare.
While the term ''teppô'' might literally be translated as "iron cannon," or "metal gun," the term ''hinawajû'' is sometimes also used, meaning literally "fire rope gun," and referring to the matchlock mechanism.
==Introduction to Japan==
==Introduction to Japan==
The introduction of the European matchlock began in [[1543]], during the appropriately named [[Sengoku period]] ("Period of the Country/Provinces at War"). At this time Japan found a trading partner in the Europeans. In [[1543]] a Portuguese ship arrived off the coast of [[Tanegashima]], south of Kyushu. One item they had was an arquebus. After trying it out, the lord of Tanegashima, Tokitaka, disregarding the high price of the arms, purchased from the aliens two pieces of the firearms for his family treasure and occupied himself ceaselessly with learning to use it. He instructed a retainer to learn to make the powder. Some local iron workers tried to copy the work, but they could not figure out how to close the end of the barrel. Fortunately the next year some more traders arrived, among whom was an iron worker, who taught how to close the barrel and about the springs. This discovery led to the production of several tens of firearms in a period of a little over a year. Tokitaka instructed his retainers to practice on the new weapon, and many beccame proficient. Later, a [[Sakai]] merchant, later known as Teppô-mata, came and stayed on the island for one or two years and learned the craft. From him, the knowledge spread throughout the country.<ref>Nanpo ''Teppô-ki''</ref>
The introduction of the European matchlock began in [[1543]], during the appropriately named [[Sengoku period]] ("Period of the Country/Provinces at War"). At this time Japan found a trading partner in the Europeans. In [[1543]] a Portuguese ship arrived off the coast of [[Tanegashima]], south of Kyushu. One item they had was an arquebus. After trying it out, the lord of Tanegashima, [[Tanegashima Tokitaka|Tokitaka]], disregarding the high price of the arms, purchased from the aliens two pieces of the firearms for his family treasure and occupied himself ceaselessly with learning to use it. He instructed a retainer to learn to make the powder. Some local iron workers tried to copy the work, but they could not figure out how to close the end of the barrel. Fortunately the next year some more traders arrived, among whom was an iron worker, who taught how to close the barrel and about the springs. This discovery led to the production of several tens of firearms in a period of a little over a year. Tokitaka instructed his retainers to practice on the new weapon, and many beccame proficient. Later, a [[Sakai]] merchant, later known as Teppô-mata, came and stayed on the island for one or two years and learned the craft. From him, the knowledge spread throughout the country.<ref>Nanpo ''Teppô-ki''</ref>
After that the Portuguese had begun to openly trade with other cities in Japan. [[Nagasaki]] had become a major trade port for trade between the Japanese and Portuguese, and the traders brought a variety of novelties including wool, velvet, tobacco, clocks and eyeglasses. But the most popular and less novel item brought to Japan by Europe, was the matchlock arquebus.
After that the Portuguese had begun to openly trade with other cities in Japan. [[Nagasaki]] had become a major trade port for trade between the Japanese and Portuguese, and the traders brought a variety of novelties including wool, velvet, tobacco, clocks and eyeglasses. But the most popular and less novel item brought to Japan by Europe, was the matchlock arquebus.
