1957.120

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Details

ID Number

1957.120

Category

T&E For Science & Technology

Sub-category

armament T&E - firearm

Item Type

matchlock

Item Name

musket

Maker

Kunitomo, Takosuke

Date

mid to late 18th century

Materials

WOOD, UNKNOWN METAL, UNKNOWN

Description

Japanese Matchlock Musket; .50 calibre, octagonal barrel; peg and band fastened to stock; stock runs almost to muzzle; tulip muzzle; silver inlaid birds on barrel bear muzzle, landscaped with birds ahead of rear sight, medallion behind rear sight; brass wheel or flower like inlays at barrel peg on stock; brass dragon on butt; brass lock mechanism, serpentine and trigger guard.

History

Japanese matchlock muskets (Hinawa-Ju) are an old form of gunlock containing a match, usually of cord for firing the priming; hence a musket fired by means of such a lock. This particular one is from the mid to late 18th century. Engraved with the ancient seal characters for crane and turtle whch are considered to be symbols of longevity. Marks on the stock suggest that the firearm was owned by Kawase, Kitaro (Kawase is an old Samurai family name, and Kitaro the given name). The Kunitomo Family were renowned gunsmiths. "Katsumasa" either an additional "art name" of the gunsmith Takosuke, or the name of the inlay artist. Family crest of two upright ginger sprouts in a circle. Several families used variations of this.

Place made

Japan, Omi province

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

Y

Subjects

Europe place

Japanese subject

War / Guerre subject