Tanega-Shima
TANEGA-SHIMA, an island lying to the south of Kiushiu, Japan, in 30 50' N. and 131 E., 36^ m. long and ; m. broad at its widest part. It is a long low stretch of land, carefully cultivated, and celebrated as the place where Mendez Pinto landed when he found his way to Japan in 1543. Until modern times firearms were colloquially known in Japan as " Tanega-shima," in allusion to the fact that they were introduced by Pinto.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
