Kumage

Kumage was the district associated with Tanegashima in the islands of Ōsumi south of Kyushu. The island's early modern history joined local lordship, metalworking and maritime contact. In 1543 a Chinese vessel carrying Portuguese men reached Tanegashima. The island lord Tanegashima Tokitaka obtained firearms from the visitors and directed his craftsmen to learn their construction and use.

The adoption of matchlocks drew on an established community of smiths. Reproducing the weapons required learning unfamiliar details, including the screw that closed the barrel. The technology subsequently spread through merchants and craftsmen to other parts of Japan. The Tanegashima family also reshaped its own seat: in 1624 Tadātoki, the seventeenth lord, moved from the earlier inner castle to Akaogi Castle at Nishinoomote.