Japanese Hiya Taihou Rocket

By Crusader1307

Seen in the 15th Century, The Hiya Taihou Rocket was inspired by Portuguese contact. Designed to operate as part-rocket and part-mortar, the weapon was primed with up to 2-pounds of gunpowder. The Hiya Taibou launched a bronze or metal shaft (sometimes even thick bamboo), which could break through enemy fortifications. Other versions included primitive fuses that allowed the projectile to fragment in air (killing or wounding an enemy).