火砲|かほうkahou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun(large) gun; artillery; cannon

• Synonym大砲たいほうNeutralThe most general word for a cannon or large gun; also used figuratively for a power hitter. 「火砲」 is the military collective term.
• Synonym砲ほうWrittenWritten/formal: a gun or cannon, used mostly in compounds such as 「砲撃」 and 「主砲」.
• Synonym大筒おおづつWrittenHistorical term for the cannons of the Sengoku and Edo periods; also a large bamboo tube for sake or flowers. Modern Japanese says 「大砲」.
• Related銃つつWrittenAn old word for small firearms like muskets and rifles — unlike 「火砲」, which covers large guns; rarely used alone in modern Japanese.

Everyday speech uses 「大砲」; 「火砲」 is the military collective term for artillery. Use 「大筒」 for old cannons, and 「砲」 in compounds like 「砲撃」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 大砲たいほうの別称べっしょう。