Original Japanese Edo Period Matchlock Tanegashima Musket with Cherry Blossom Decorations Japanese Navy Below and to the right

Below and to the right this it is marked with a stylized H

7 1/4 (58cm)

the épée evolved from light civilian weapons such as the smallsword

The two most prominent ones used were the “barrel type” like this one which is made of wood with side slats like a barrel

Dagger features a gilded brass hilt with eagle head and capstan

Original Japanese Edo Period Matchlock Tanegashima Musket with Cherry Blossom Decorations Japanese Navy Below and to the rightOriginal Item: One of a Kind. This is an extremely interesting weapon, especially considering the historical impact of firearm development in Japanese history. It was crafted probably in the late 1700s or early 1800s as a matchlock firearm using black powder and a very primitive ignition system, far behind the rest of the world. This type of gun is often referred to as a Tanegashima (), after the island where a Chinese junk with Portuguese adventurers