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Don't forget that even before the Dutch have shown up, there was portuguese missionaries in Japan, that among other things, introduced firearms there, that caug

Don't forget that even before the Dutch have shown up, there was portuguese missionaries in Japan, that among other things, introduced firearms there, that caught on fairly quickly because how easier it was to manufacture cheap firearms and give them to Ashigaru compared to training a full sword or yari samurai. In a way, Japanese was ahead of Europe, using mass produced firearms in warfare earlier than Europe did.

blaser-waffle 6y ago
Supposedly tempura started as a result of Portuguese traders in Japan.
fsloth 6y ago
Oh, that’s a good point! However, after 17th century gun industry declined in Japan, and Japanese gun manufacturing was way behind europe in the beginning of 19th century [0]. But they really picked up the pace after that! Japanese Arisaka bolt-action rifles were the cheap-and-plentiful firearm used in many countries up to ww2. I have one Type-38 from 1905 or so and it sure is still very nice.[1] [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearms_of_Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearms_of_Japan [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arisaka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arisaka
lioeters 6y ago
Ah, you're right - I forgot that the Portuguese had earlier exchange with Japan, during the 16th century. Japan-Portugal History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relations#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relatio... Right, I'm connecting the dots, picturing the historical context.. That reminds me how Japanese children are taught in basic school about 黒船, "black ships", as representing first contact with the West. Black Ships - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships This was part of the Age of Discovery, as the Portuguese (chronologically) led the discovery of Africa, Asia, the Americas..

blaser-waffle 6y ago

Supposedly tempura started as a result of Portuguese traders in Japan.

fsloth 6y ago

Oh, that’s a good point! However, after 17th century gun industry declined in Japan, and Japanese gun manufacturing was way behind europe in the beginning of 19th century [0]. But they really picked up the pace after that! Japanese Arisaka bolt-action rifles were the cheap-and-plentiful firearm used in many countries up to ww2. I have one Type-38 from 1905 or so and it sure is still very nice.[1] [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearms_of_Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearms_of_Japan [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arisaka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arisaka

lioeters 6y ago

Ah, you're right - I forgot that the Portuguese had earlier exchange with Japan, during the 16th century. Japan-Portugal History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relations#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relatio... Right, I'm connecting the dots, picturing the historical context.. That reminds me how Japanese children are taught in basic school about 黒船, "black ships", as representing first contact with the West. Black Ships - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships This was part of the Age of Discovery, as the Portuguese (chronologically) led the discovery of Africa, Asia, the Americas..