First introduced to Japan about 1642 by a Chinese trading vessel that had blown off-course during a storm, the tanegashima arquebuses were the primary firearms in use in Japan until the entry of Commodore Perry's fleet and the adoption of more modern firearms in 1854. Some examples still see use today for ceremonies and historical reenactments, and this appears to be a finely crafted contemporary copy. A set of grooved and raised sights are installed on the barrel, with a swamped muzzle, a single brass barrel band, and an untranslated symbol on the lock plate ahead of the serpentine. It also has silver plum blossoms and other floral motifs, and a brass vine design along the comb and a rampant brass lion on the right side of the butt. A silver plate with untranslated symbol is on the butt, and a kamon with a wood sorrel design is between the breech collar and trigger guard. The latter appears to be the Katabami clan mon. Behind the nose cap is an engraved silver inlay in the design of a wood sorrel butterfly similar to the Taira clan mon. Similar symbols are discussed in one of the included documents. Most of the inlays are accented with black fill to provide attractive contrast. The consignor has also included a copy of "The Typhoon Brought Guns" by Harold L. Peterson discussing how the matchlock was first introduced in Japan.

Very good as decorative (non-functional, no touch hole). The barrel shows a brown and gray patina, with patches of surface oxidation and light hammering (possibly decorative). Some soldering marks are present on the sights. A mix of bright surfaces and aged patina are present on the brass. The silver has attractive aged patina. The revarnished stock is very good with light handling and storage marks and a few scuffs. The lock mechanism is currently non-functional, with a crack in the tip of the serpentine and no sear.