The armaments of "Akitsushima" were initially based on the cruiser , with four QF 6 inch /40 naval guns with a maximum range of up to and fire rate of five to seven rounds per minute, mounted on sponsons on the upper deck (two on the bow on both sides of the foremast and two in the stern behind the mainmast). The rapid rate of fire of these guns gave "Akitsushima" a large advantage over the more heavily armed "Matsushima" class, whose slow rate of fire had led cadets to say during training exercises that “ by the time one shot is fired, the day is over”.