Japanese Matchlock Gun
1600-35 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Firearms were introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in the 1540s. Workshops were quickly established to produce matchlock guns, whose deadly efficiency brought about fundamental changes to how warfare was conducted. With its inlaid decoration of Christian symbols, this Japanese-made gun probably belonged to a high-ranking samurai who had adopted Christianity.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel barrel with brass inlay; wooden stock |
| Brief description | Matchlock gun, decorated with inlaid Christian symbols; wood, steel and brass; Japan, 1600-35. |
| Physical description | Matchlock gun, body decorated with brass inlay of Christian symbols. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Gift of E.L. Gardiner |
| Summary | Firearms were introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in the 1540s. Workshops were quickly established to produce matchlock guns, whose deadly efficiency brought about fundamental changes to how warfare was conducted. With its inlaid decoration of Christian symbols, this Japanese-made gun probably belonged to a high-ranking samurai who had adopted Christianity. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.30-1937 |
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| Record created | February 17, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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