INATOMI SCHOOL OF GUNNERY & MARKSMANSHIP.

Eleven manuscript orihon volumes (accordion format) relating to matchlock muskets & marksmanship.

Many fine extended images of musketeers in various positions, firearms, targets, etc. Paper shiny with infused mica. Eleven vols. Narrow 8vo (234 x 105 mm.), orig. semi-stiff blue boards (some rubbing & wear), silver endpapers with floral patterns, orig. gilt paper labels on upper covers with manuscript titles (several are missing). [Japan]: dated “August 1660” at end of each volume.

An unusually large group of manuscripts, collectively known as the “Inatomi ryū hōjutsu hidensho” 稲富流砲術秘伝書, “Secret Information, Passed Down, of the Inatomi School of Gunnery & Marksmanship.” At the end of all the volumes, the “lineage” of this secret information is provided, starting with Ichimu Inatomi 稲富一夢 (1551-1611), who founded the Inatomi school of gunnery. We have never had such a large group of related manuscripts concerning the Inatomi school.

European matchlock muskets (hinawaju 火縄銃”) were introduced to the island of Tanegashima, Japan, in 1543 by Portuguese traders. The Inatomi school of gun manufacturing and gunnery, founded in the latter part of that century, was also one of the leading marksmanship schools in early Japan, employing hinawaju. This collection consists of 11 volumes, the first six finely illustrated:

1. “Gokui ezu hoshi ita no sho” 極意絵図星板之書. “Innermost Secret of the Bull’s-Eye, Illustrated.” 17 folding leaves.

2. “Sanju ni sō no tsutsukatame sho” 三拾二相之筒固書. “32 Ways to Hold the Musket.” 69 folding leaves.

3. “Hoshizumi no sho” 星積之書. “Ways to Judge Target Accuracy.” 5 folding leaves.

4. “Mezumi tezumi no sho” 目積手積之書. “Method of Judging the Target by One’s Eye and Hands.” 15 folding leaves.

5. “Setsugyoku no ezu” 切玉之絵図. “Sizes of the Bullets, Illustrated.” 11 folding leaves.

6. “Nichigetsu ametsuyu aiai” 日月雨露相合. “Methods of Shooting Through the Year.” 51 folding leaves.

7. “Teppō yakuson hiden no sho” 鉄炮薬拵秘伝之書. “Recipes for Making Gunpowder of Various Kinds.” 21 folding leaves.

8. “Tama hoshiai no koto” 玉星合之事. “How to Choose the Bullet for the Target.” 12 folding leaves.

9. “Teppō kokoromochi no sho” 鉄炮心持之書. “Correct State of Mind When Shooting the Musket.” 19 folding leaves.

10. “Gokui aka zumi no sho” 極意朱積の書. “Innermost Secrets for Successful Shooting.” 26 folding leaves.

11. “Hyaku jŭsan kajō mokuroku” 百十三箇条目録. “113 Situations of Shooting.” 15 folding leaves.

As mentioned above, the first six manuscripts are beautifully illustrated in rich colors, depicting Inatomi muskets, methods of handling and aiming the musket, and techniques of marksmanship. The first volume provides close-up illustrations of the muskets and methods of hitting bull’s-eyes. The next volume depicts 32 positions of musketeers in a series of 16 scenes; the classic considerations of marksmanship are shown: stance, grip, aim, breath control, trigger control, and follow-through. The musketeers are finely rendered in black ink and heightened with flesh-colored wash. The muskets are painted in brown, gold, and silver pigments and rest on richly colored cushion mounts. The musketeers are all depicted nearly naked (but wearing the most gorgeous loincloths made of richly colored fabrics, including gold and silver) in order to reveal correct body positioning. Each scene is well-annotated, discussing the six fundamentals of accurate shooting. Included are measurements, comments regarding whether the musketeer is short or tall, how to hold the gun and squeeze the trigger, which part of the body should be tense or relaxed, how to place the barrel on a rest or foot to increase accuracy, etc. Matters of shooting uphill or downhill are considered.

The third volume is concerned with methods of judging accuracy (a large target is shown), and the fourth with coordinating eyesight, trigger-finger control, and accuracy. Eyes and fingers are depicted and well-annotated. The fifth volume depicts bullets of various calibers and weights. Vol. Six discusses problems of accuracy related to weather conditions throughout the year. Accuracy charts are given.

The remaining five volumes are unillustrated. The seventh gives secret and precious family recipes for various kinds of gunpowder. The remaining volumes discuss technical and psychological matters to increase accuracy.

In fine condition.

❧ Noel Perrin, Giving Up the Gun. Japan’s Reversion to the Sword, 1543-1879.