It's not that they were peasant weapons. The Japanese used almost exclusively matchlock muskets, they never developed flintlocks or percussion weapons. Matchlocks relied on slow burning wicks that had to be lit shortly prior to firing, as a result, these weapons were useful on battlefields but couldn't be carried loaded and ready to fire for a long time, as the wicks would burn out. So no practical pistols, no using them for guards or for individual weapons.
As a result, swords, spears and bows remained the best personal protection weapons available in Japan during the entire period. So Samurai kept training with them all the way to the 20th century, though they didn't hesitate to use matchlocks during battles.
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@boring7
It's not that they were peasant weapons. The Japanese used almost exclusively matchlock muskets, they never developed flintlocks or percussion weapons. Matchlocks relied on slow burning wicks that had to be lit shortly prior to firing, as a result, these weapons were useful on battlefields but couldn't be carried loaded and ready to fire for a long time, as the wicks would burn out. So no practical pistols, no using them for guards or for individual weapons.
As a result, swords, spears and bows remained the best personal protection weapons available in Japan during the entire period. So Samurai kept training with them all the way to the 20th century, though they didn't hesitate to use matchlocks during battles.