matchlock arquebus (firearm), unknown maker from Japan

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The Matchlock gun was first introduced into Japan by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. The Japanese were quick to appreciate the value of this new weapon and at the battle of Nagashino in 1575 general Oda Nobunaga employed 3000 matchlock men. When thhe battel was over almost ten thousand of Japan's finest samurai lay dead. It was said of the samurai that the sword was his soul, the gun his destruction. However, once the Tokugawa shogunate was firmly established, the use of guns rapidly declined. Since the action of the play "Chushkingura" supposedly takes place during the 14th century, the appearance of Kampei's gun in the 5th act is an anachronism. Even during the time of the actual events of the Ako vendetta their use was rare. Nevertheless, this bit of artistic license helps to set up the dramatic plot twist of the 6th act.