Looking back on the past and looking forward to the future, welcome to take the historical travel number, my flight attendant. Let me take you back to the past and present!
For a long time, in the discussion of domestic mainstream websites, there has been a lack of research and attention on ancient Japanese artillery. Although as early as the 1650s, some Warring States figures began to try to promote the use of guns, but they have been relatively indifferent to guns. Many scholars believe that the reason behind this may be related to the policies implemented by the Tokugawa Shogunate. However, long before the Edo authorities completed the general monopoly on firearms manufacturing, artillery had actually been promoted in Japan.
Japan’s poor road system Yes, light artillery is more popular.
In all fairness, the artillery did not play a role in line with its performance in the main battles at the time. The reason is not difficult to understand. Japan's terrain itself easily limits the development of artillery. As a long and narrow island country with dense forests and mountains, the road system in Japan at that time was also very bad. It will undoubtedly make transporting heavy artillery a nightmare for all armies. Therefore, the armies of all parties in the Warring States Period usually need to rely on smaller-sized portable artillery to fight.
Early in the Warring States Period Firearms were not popular in Japan
, but heavy artillery still occasionally appeared in naval battles and siege battles. Especially in the early 17th century, both defenders and attackers had use cases. In 1614, in the famous large-scale siege, the two sides used more than 300 artillery pieces. In addition to the European-style naval guns that were just removed from the British shipwreck, it also includes many models that were previously imported or cast locally.
Japan's own imitated small and medium-sized Franco machine gun
, despite Japan's early artillery development, has long been in a slow and peculiar situation. But we can also sort out the general types and history of Japanese artillery, and experience the war ideology that is different from the continental plains countries.
During the Osaka Siege, the Tokugawa Army had a large European naval gun
, the earliest extant Japanese artillery, which appeared in the 14-15th century beyond many people's imagination. From the model point of view, it may come from the Ming Dynasty or Lee Korea at that time. Of course, this type of artillery is rarely unearthed and recorded, and there are almost no records of large-scale use. It may also be because its own performance is worrying, and Japan is at a stage where there is no large-scale war. The original Japanese firearms of
were basically homologous to the mainland
. In the mid-16th century, due to the rise of the Southern Barbarian trade, Japanese artillery developed by leaps and bounds for the first time. Especially when the galleons continued to arrive at Hirado or Nagasaki, the newer rear-mounted artillery was brought into the archipelago by Portuguese missionaries. Most of them are similar to the Flange machines that the Ming Dynasty took in a large number of imitations, but occasionally there were larger national collapses. Although it is not the latest crystallization of European military technology, it has mature use experience from the late Middle Ages. This ensures that Japan, which has a greater geographical isolation factor, can stably obtain such weapons.
The rise of the southern barbarian trade led to great developments in Japanese artillery technology.
was first promoted by missionaries by Otomo of Kyushu, and in 1558 began to use artillery for coastal defense. The Ashikaga family began to absorb European cannons as early as 1560, and they continued to request Portuguese missionaries to provide larger models. If things go on like this, imitations cast locally will naturally begin to appear.
Japan's own imitation of small and medium-sized Franco machine gun
At that time, these European-style artillery, whether imported or domestically produced, almost chose to use bronze casting. The weight can generally reach more than 120 kg, and the length is also between 1.5-3 meters. Although a small number of wrought iron guns appeared, this type of naval guns caused explosive gas to leak along the joints in order to facilitate the loading, thereby reducing the range and power. Although not very efficient, the larger model can still fire 70mm shells weighing 1.3 kg, and has an installable rotating device, which is very convenient to use. The types of ammunition that can be fired also include grape bullets and chain bullets that are more beneficial to anti-personnel.
is a large-scale French machine gun
originating from Goa, Portugal. However, several advanced artillery forces have discovered that this weapon itself still has great limitations. Not only because the artillery itself is relatively heavy and the transportation remains unchanged on rugged mountain roads, but also becauseA large amount of gunpowder increases the cost and logistics burden. For example, in the Battle of Mizukawa in 1578, the quickly retreating Otomo's family was forced to leave several cannons to rival Shimadzu. But because the other party felt that the cannon was too heavy, it was difficult for him to take it away. These factors are intertwined and severely restricted the daimyo's desire to use artillery. In addition, the artillery itself also has the risk of use, and it is easy to blow up the chamber directly due to careless operation. This in turn requires the lords to pay additional fees, which is not economically cost-effective.
Many small earthen guns will use heavy arrows as their main weapon. In addition, the Japanese have also begun to develop artillery with their own characteristics. These earthen cannons are either called "broken arhats" or they are more famously called ōzutsu (大管). However, the latter are often of various types, ranging from large-caliber guns to small-caliber guns. Also like the early introduction of the Franchi cannon, it can fire both solid bullets and special grape bullets. He even went back to the original and took the retro route, attacking the target gate, roadblock or the castle itself with heavy arrows.
The British cannons owned by Ieyasu Tokugawa
Finally, no matter how many types of artillery in the Warring States period, the cannons imported from Europe are especially prized. Tokugawa Ieyasu, who won the battle of Osaka, deliberately used more than a dozen British heavy artillery pieces. Prior to this, the Portuguese in the 16th century also tried to establish some small cannon casting factories in Kyushu. Together with the later Dutch, between the 16th and 17th centuries, they cast some heavy artillery for different names. The largest model can weigh hundreds of kilograms.
There were also wooden cannons made in the 19th century,
. Another very important, but often overlooked one is the wooden cannon. They are commonly called MOKUHō in Japan. Since it is made of wood, additional reinforcement of the barrel is required. For example, a series of thick ropes or iron rings ensure that the gun barrel will not crack due to the power of gunpowder. Although quite primitive, it is still relatively effective in Japan. It is a cheap and lightweight alternative to mainstream artillery. Only due to material reasons, this artillery is very fragile and unsafe. Therefore, it is usually only used to fire a few shots and can be thrown away by the user immediately. It is generally used for cluster arrows, grape shells or small shells when shipped, and occasionally used to project smoke into the air.
Edo era is undoubtedly the low point in the development of Japanese artillery technology
If it were not for the end of the Warring States period due to the rise of Tokugawa, I believe that larger artillery will soon be promoted throughout Japan. However, the success of the Edo Shogunate will not tolerate a relaxed era that facilitates rapid follow-up of weapon technology. In the next 200 years, most lords and even the shogunate themselves will be insulated from this field. Only a few windows were left and continued to absorb foreign artillery technology in a very secretive manner. The train
has reached the end! Thank you for taking the travel number of this historical event, and looking forward to seeing you again next time!
