gunmakers guild
Historical term for a guild of gunsmiths in feudal Japan, particularly associated with the production of matchlock firearms.
In the Edo period, the gunmakers guild manufactured firearms under the shogunate's license.
Compound of 鉄砲 (teppō, 'gun') and 座 (za, 'guild' or 'association'). The term refers to a licensed guild of gunsmiths in pre-modern Japan.