Yes, feudal Japan did have gunpowder. It was introduced to Japan in the 13th century, primarily through trade with China and Korea. The Japanese initially used gunpowder for fireworks and later adapted it for military purposes.
By the 16th century, during the Sengoku period, gunpowder weapons such as matchlock guns (tanegashima) became widely used in battles. These weapons were introduced by the Portuguese in 1543 and quickly adopted by Japanese warlords. The use of gunpowder significantly changed the nature of warfare in Japan, leading to the construction of more fortified castles and the development of new military tactics.
Despite the initial rapid adoption, the use of gunpowder weapons declined in the early Edo period (17th century) as the Tokugawa shogunate sought to maintain control and stability. The shogunate restricted the production and use of firearms to prevent uprisings and maintain the samurai class’s dominance.