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When Did Guns Get to Japan

Japan didn’t even know what guns were until the mid-1500s

When Did Guns Get to Japan is a question that has fascinated historians for centuries. The answer, it turns out, is not as simple as one might think.

Guns first arrived in Japan in the mid-1500s, brought by Portuguese traders. At first, the Japanese were fascinated by these new weapons, and they quickly began to adopt them. By the end of the 16th century, guns were being used by both the samurai and the common people.

However, the Japanese government soon became concerned about the proliferation of guns. In 1588, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the then-ruler of Japan, issued an edict banning the ownership of guns by commoners. This edict was largely successful, and for the next two centuries, guns were only used by the samurai.

In the mid-19th century, Japan began to modernize its military. As part of this process, the government lifted the ban on gun ownership. This led to a rapid increase in the number of guns in Japan, and by the end of the century, guns were once again being used by both the samurai and the common people.

Today, guns are still relatively rare in Japan. However, they are not as uncommon as they once were. In fact, there are now an estimated 3 million guns in Japan, which is more than the number of guns in the United Kingdom.

FAQs

When did guns first arrive in Japan?

Guns first arrived in Japan in the mid-1500s, brought by Portuguese traders.

Why did the Japanese government ban the ownership of guns by commoners?

The Japanese government banned the ownership of guns by commoners because it was concerned about the proliferation of guns.

When was the ban on gun ownership lifted?

The ban on gun ownership was lifted in the mid-19th century.

How many guns are there in Japan today?

There are an estimated 3 million guns in Japan today.

Conclusion

The history of guns in Japan is a long and complex one. Guns first arrived in Japan in the mid-1500s, and they have been used by both the samurai and the common people ever since. Today, guns are still relatively rare in Japan, but they are not as uncommon as they once were.