Antique Japanese Hiya Tantsusu Bronze Carp Shape Cannon

Description

Small bronze cannon of this type where made for shooting flaming arrows at ships, launching fireworks at festivals, and for signaling purposes. The example of cast bronze with a bore that is described as at the breach and the bore is reduced to a half round section to form a chamber for the powder mount for use. The gun would be imbedded into a wooded block such as the lower half of the barrel and the entire breach end is covered. Mounted on custom iron stand.

Meiji Period 19th Century

Size: 3.25″ L x 1″ W x 1.5″ H (5″H on stand)