Takashima Shūhan (高島秋帆, September 24, 1798 – February 28, 1866) was a Japanese samurai, ballistics expert, and military engineer in Bakumatsu period Japan.

At age ten, Takashima Shūhan was shocked by the incident in Nagasaki in 1808, where the Royal Navy frigate HMS Phaeton demanded supplies from the harbour chief before sailing away.

Takashima started to study Western weaponry and, after the 1825 Edict to expel foreigners at all cost ("Don't think twice" policy, 異国船無二念打払令), managed to obtain some weapons through the Dutch, including field guns, mortars and firearms.

Takashima set up an artillery foundry at his own expense based on Dutch designs in 1834, and present a bronze mortar to Nabeshima Shigeyoshi, daimyō of Saga Domain in 1835.

[6] Takashima Shūhan established two companies of infantry equipped with guns, as well as one artillery battery, making him Japan's first modern student of Western arms.

[3] Takashima's school was heavily criticized by reactionary political forces within the shogunate, who opposed the introduction of Western technology and who were also fearful of the tozama feudal domains increasing in military strength.

Takasaki had a very strong enmity with the Nagasaki bugyō, who had always been jealous that the position was very lucrative, comparable to that of a 100,000 koku daimyō, and this was exploited by the rōjū Mizuno Tadakuni, who was concerned that Takashima's plans to manufacture bronze cannon would hinder the production of coinage which was under his purvey.

Takashima was sent to Oshi Domain in Musashi Province, but returned to official favor with the arrival of the Perry Expedition in 1853,[7] after which he became a military instructor for the shogunal forces in 1856.