Inheritance of technology(8)
Introduction of Firearms
In 1543, Portuguese men on a junk that drifted ashore on Maenohama Beach on the Kadokura Cape at the southern end of Tanegashima Island (in present-day Minamitanecho) introduced guns (matchlocks) to Japan for the first time. Tanegashima Tokitaka, the daimyo at the time, noticed the power of the guns, bought two of them and had imitations made. As legend has it, in making the replicas, Tanegashima’s technicians had trouble with the screw mechanism used to close up the butt. This problem was solved when a blacksmith married his daughter Wakasa to a Portuguese man, who taught him how to make it.
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Tanegashima Center for Research and Development (Firearms Museum)
Tanegashima island is where guns were first introduced to Japan and the first place in the country where matchlocks were produced. Tanegashima Center for Research and Development displays around 100 old-style guns from Japan and other countries, including the first gun brought over from Portugal and the first gun produced in Japan.
Location: 7585 Nishinoomote, Nishinoomote-shi, Kagoshima
PH: 0997-23-3215 (Tanegashima Center for Research and Development (Firearms Museum))
Website: Nishinoomote City (Japanese only, Google translate button on the website)
http://www.city.nishinoomote.lg.jp/admin/soshiki/kyouikuiinkai/shakaikyouikuka/bunkazai/center/
Closed: 25th on every month (excludes July and August), year-end/New Year holidays (Dec 30 to Jan 2)
Admission: 420 yen (general), 270 yen (high school), 130 yen (elementary/junior high)
Transportation: Approx. 5 min from Nishinoomote Port by car, or take a bus and get off at “Teppokan-mae” bus stop