However, after 17th century gun industry declined in Japan, and Japanese gun manufacturing was way behind europe in the beginning of 19th century [0].
But they really picked up the pace after that! Japanese Arisaka bolt-action rifles were the cheap-and-plentiful firearm used in many countries up to ww2. I have one Type-38 from 1905 or so and it sure is still very nice.[1]
Japan-Portugal History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Portugal_relatio...
Right, I'm connecting the dots, picturing the historical context..
That reminds me how Japanese children are taught in basic school about 黒船, "black ships", as representing first contact with the West.
Black Ships - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ships
This was part of the Age of Discovery, as the Portuguese (chronologically) led the discovery of Africa, Asia, the Americas..
In a way, Japanese was ahead of Europe, using mass produced firearms in warfare earlier than Europe did.