Japanese Antique Tanegashima Matchlock Rifle with Birds

DescriptionAntique Japanese Tanegashima long matchlock rifle. The entirety length of cast iron barrel is decorated with mixed metal inlay of birds and flowers, an unusual motif for a rifle. The gold mon is of the Kobayakawa clan, a powerful samurai clan with close ties to the Mōri family.Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543. From just a couple samples, Japanese metal smiths were able to copy and expand upon the matchlock rifle, changing warfare in Japan forever. Used primarily by the samurai class and their ashigaru (foot soldiers), Japanese guns had a wide range of sizes and uses. During the Edo Period, the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate and the closing off of Japan to outside influences (other than limited Dutch trade) led to relative large scale peace and prosperity. This did not dissuade the production of firearms and matchlock guns and rifles continued to be produced and collected especially by the ruling class.Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)Dimensions: 53″ long