Japanese Matchlock Myths

[RAEDWALD]

Apologies of this has been posted before but I could find no trace. It gives a view that popular ideas about the matchlock in Japan are mythological and suggest alternatives in context of Japanese history. I do like, in the first comment, the reference to Japanese pirates. Contrary to laws about cutting off contact with the outside world Japanese pirates travelled freely abroad in south east Asia.Even being employed on occasion by the Honourable East India Company as guards on their trading trips.

I have nothing to offer to back up the ‘myths’ nor the debunking but it makes sense to me.

https://rekishinihon.com/2021/02/01/japanese-matchlock-myths-debunked/

 

[springfield art]

That site is amazing! I was always fascinated by the dichotomy, of the fine manners and arts of the Japanese and their brutality during WW2. e.g.; the Rape of Nanking and treatment of prisoners, etc. If they believed in omens, the Fat Man and Little Boy were ones they should have seen coming. BTW; be sure to see the film "Oppenheimer".

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

I thank you for the link to that very interesting website.
I've visited Japan several times, and thoroughly enjoyed each visit. I was quite surprised on my first visit, in September of 1958.
We had lived in the Philippines 1956-58 - Dad was a Naval officer, so we kind of toured the world a time or three.
In the Philippines, scarce 10 years post-WW II, there was "considerable" (!!!) animosity toward the Japanese. Theirs had been a very violent occupation.
Dad and I had once spent some time in northern Luzon with a stone-age tribe. The fellow we stayed with had a shelf of skulls, all of Japanese officers, complete with rank badge by each skull - he had slain each with his trusty spear, and kept the skulls as trophies.
As a result, when we went to spend about a month in Japan, I was expecting, well, a very cruel and mean-spirited populace.
It was a pleasant surprise to find how warm and welcoming the actual Japanese were, what a long history they had, and what good food they prepared.
One museum, close to Kyoto, I think, did have a display of early firearms, including a large variety of matchlock guns, which were very new to me.

 

[82ndPA]

Apologies of this has been posted before but I could find no trace. It gives a view that popular ideas about the matchlock in Japan are mythological and suggest alternatives in context of Japanese history. I do like, in the first comment, the reference to Japanese pirates. Contrary to laws about cutting off contact with the outside world Japanese pirates travelled freely abroad in south east Asia.Even being employed on occasion by the Honourable East India Company as guards on their trading trips.

I have nothing to offer to back up the ‘myths’ nor the debunking but it makes sense to me.

https://rekishinihon.com/2021/02/01/japanese-matchlock-myths-debunked/

As it happens, there's a new Forgotten Weapons video up today on Japanese matchlocks;

 

[BillinOregon]

Thank you for that link Raedwald. Wonderful stuff. I have even asked to to join the Japanese Matchlock Facebook study group.

 

[Sam squanch]

My friends wife is South Korean. They still hate the Japanese to this day…..

 

[Clark Badgett]

My father in law never forgave the Japanese for what he witnessed during the occupation.

 

[Rudyard]

Thank you for that link Raedwald. Wonderful stuff. I have even asked to to join the Japanese Matchlock Facebook study group.

Well interesting but they basically copied a Venetian matchlock probably a gun with a cut off butt. While it makes sense the rod channel at least on the Venetian ones is made from the one forestock not two halves first I heard of the two piece but it does make sense. The video is well narrated .I always confuse you & 'Old Dog '. Was it you Reawald who wanted pics of the Bisley Fire ? I was involved taking out the gas cylinder from Arthurs mashing shed Figured not a good place to be near that heat .MLA tended the accsess & clearing cars out ect . & despite Andy Courtneys question .No it wasn't my match cord ide left burning ! (Ime too tight to leave good matchcord ).
Regards Rudyard

 

[Marplot]

Just acquired a Tanegashima at a Rock Island Auction. May 19.

Can anyone help me with getting a matchcord? Buy? or Make?

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Just acquired a Tanegashima at a Rock Island Auction. May 19.

Can anyone help me with getting a matchcord? Buy? or Make?

Here's a link showing how to make your own:
MatchCord video
I order braided hemp cord from hAmazon in diameters from 5/16" up to 1/2". Ashes from the fire pit or BBQ make the lye in boiling water.
I process the cord twice and check the quality of the burning end - often don't need the saltpeter step (but YMMV).

 

[Rudyard]

Just acquired a Tanegashima at a Rock Island Auction. May 19.

Can anyone help me with getting a matchcord? Buy? or Make?

There are a lot of' how to's on this forums' look under' pre flintlock' & such as' capandball'on you tube Ime unsure what can be found in the US but Jeff Tanner of Tanner Moulds sell some blue match cord that is good . Jeff himself is not with us but I think it trades in that style still . Now all you need is an asbestos suit ! .No ,You can manage without .Ive watched their international teems shoot . They are inscrutable will say things like" Borroks another 9" when its actually some where in the 7 ring . Have Fun Regards Rudyard

 

[Marplot]

Looks like there are videos where I can make the matchcord I want. Will give it a try, but seems to be a hit or miss. Stump Killer? Green Light? Harrumph! Salt Peter? Mushrooms? Doesn't someone sell a premade matchcord? Seems it should be very simple and make it right? Waterproof? Something that does not drop an ember prematurely into the flash pan?

 

[rickystl]

Judging by the serpentines and original match cord samples, it seems the Japanese guns as well as most of middle and Eastern Asia used a smaller diameter match cord than the European guns. There pan diameters also appear smaller.

 

[TobJohn]

Just acquired a Tanegashima at a Rock Island Auction. May 19.

Can anyone help me with getting a matchcord? Buy? or Make?

I bought 6ft of cotton matchcord from this organization about a year and a half ago, on their old website:
https://www.sykessutler.com/index.php/musketry/

It’s worked well enough, if you want something premade.

 

[Marplot]

I bought 6ft of cotton matchcord from this organization about a year and a half ago, on their old website:
https://www.sykessutler.com/index.php/musketry/

It’s worked well enough, if you want something premade.

Thank you for letting me know! I have bought the Matchcord and some other stuff. I also bought an 8mm hemp from Amazon, try to make my own.

 

[TobJohn]

Thank you for letting me know! I have bought the Matchcord and some other stuff. I also bought an 8mm hemp from Amazon, try to make my own.

Heck yeah, welcome to the matchlock brotherhood!

 

[Rudyard]

Heck yeah, welcome to the matchlock brotherhood!

'Brother hood of the burning rope' We had a cup for that in NZ not sure its still shot for as much for the MLAIC Internationals where the great spur & I churned out lots of M locks though never aspired to international comps . 'Bucks County ' did though . I just shot for the laurels .and provided the rivalry & focus internationals call for .
Well I had this lock see ,& a barrel they seemed destined to wed so i'me performing the ceromony this day (seemed the kindest thing I could do for them cant have yearning parts eh) Rudyard

 

[Sam squanch]

cant have yearning parts eh) Rudyard

Sounds like a romantic drama mini series…… “Yearning Parts”…. On Netflix this fall..

 

[Rudyard]

Sounds like a romantic drama mini series…… “Yearning Parts”…. On Netflix this fall..

Dear Sam Ile take your word for that My daughters is into all that love y dovey stuff .
Regards Rudyard

 

[Deavertex]

My father in law never forgave the Japanese for what he witnessed during the occupation.

My Dad was a gunner on a B-29 (Bainbridge Belle, if you're interested) He flew 35 missions over Japan and hated them until the day he died -- he explained it with, "The bastards tried to kill me!" I shudder to think what would have ensued if I'd brought home a Japanese girl.