This is what we do. The Matsumoto Castle Gun Corps is a shooting display team from the Japanese Alps. We use samurai era guns and practice hōjutsu; the Way of the Gun. #hojutsu #samurai #gunsamurai #matsumoto #japan

Matsumoto Samurai - gunners in action.

Lady Yae, mistress of Takeda Shingen, challenges Uesugi to a duel. Offended by her improper conduct, he shoots her from her saddle whilst her bodyguards look on. You might notice though that the gun that Uesugi uses has no matchcord. I guess his rage ignited the firing mechanism!

During the summer, we don’t have any events so many members of our team take the opportunity to practice other essential skills…..

Matchlock Ashigaru - the Japanese Infantry youtu.be/gfnx9YSuBb8

Generally conscripted for service, the ashigaru were the infantry component of samurai armies during Japan’s feudal era.

Tanzutsu - most of these guns were made and used during the Edo era; but not usually in battle.

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Target practice… the samurai development a comprehensive system for gunnery, including scrolls intended to educate those new to the way of the gun.

Modern samurai combat… martial artists in Japan taking part in kumiuchi, or jiujitsu whilst wearing replica armour. …no it’s not me 😅

Hōjutsu - The Way of the Gun.

Hōjutsu - 砲術 - is the martial art of gunnery and can trace its history to 1543. The kanji 砲術 is made of two characters. 砲 meaning cannon or gun, 術 meaning skill, technique or art. The Way of the Gun.

The Matsumoto Castle Gun Corps - a martial arts display team from central Japan.

At the gun workshop…

Hōjutsu training - The Way of the Gun

Some of our friends in action at Matsumoto Castle.

Applying an ignition source to gunpowder causes it to rapidly convert into heat, gas, and sound energy. Normally, we call that a gunshot.

Applying an ignition source to the firing mechanism starts a chain reaction…

Summer mornings in Matsumoto!

We don’t practice at the castle… it leads to noise complaints. Instead we head to our shooting range in the next town over from Matsumoto.