Japan’s history will come to life this weekend when the Ashikita Matchlock Gun Corps hosts an exhibition and re-enactment at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, 323 Manono St. in Hilo.
The exhibition is part of a yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Gannenmono — the first organized Japanese immigrants to arrive in Hawaii.
There’s “never been anything like it here on our island, and it’s going to be free to the public,” said honorary consul general of Japan for the Big Island and Gannenmono Committee chairman Art Taniguchi about the exhibition.
According to information provided to Taniguchi by the squad’s captain, the Ashikita Matchlock Gun Corps was first established as a military force in Japan by the Hosokawa Clan in the Higo domain of Kumamotao during the Kan’ei period, between 1624 and 1644, as a defense for the Ashikita Region.
It was formed after the Hosokawa Clan’s victory against the Kato Clan and drafted master-less samauri, or ronin, returning from battle.
The gun corps helped quash the Amakusa-Shimabara Rebellion in 1639, and as a result became known as the honored Ashikita Ogo’orizutsu, which reached 430 members at its peak. According to the provided information, the original gun corps existed until 1870.
The current Ashikita Matchlock Gun Corps, however, was formed in 2003 to preserve the tradition and culture of the Ashikita Ogo’orizutsu by continuing the gunnery practices from that time period.
“Several years ago, Ashikita City visited the Big Island and formed a ‘friendship’ agreement with the Hawaii Shima (Island) Kumamoto Doshi Kai,” Taniguchi explained. “Ashikita City is located in Kumamoto Prefecture and two of the members from our local Kumamoto group visited them. At that time they witnessed this spectacular performance and brought that information back to us.”
The gun corps subsequently accepted an invitation to come as part of the Gannenmono anniversary activities, he said.
“We really are fortunate to have them come because our island has never had this type of performance before,” said Taniguchi.
The group will also perform at 1:15 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 17) at Makaeo County Pavilion in Kailua-Kona as part of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.
Prior to the gun corps exhibition Sunday, Taniguchi said there will be performances by Taishoji Taiko and Hui Okinawa Kobuda Taiko, as well as a demonstration by International Karate League Keaau Dojo and a hula presentation by Waiohinu Hula Studio.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.