Use of the Sword by American Indian Tribes

Jim McDougall · 1st September 2022, 11:39 PM

Thank you guys, there was indeed some presence of Japanese Samurai swords with American Indian tribes in the latter 19th century, but the only real evidence are two examples, this one with Indian scout Dog Child in Alberta sometime pre 1900, the other was one one the wall of Red Cloud's house at Pine Ridge, S.D. in 1890.

I recall talking with Dr Bleed on this some years ago, and this article, and with the Red Cloud example we can only speculate but there seem to be several possibilities. In one case there were diplomats from Japan in Wyoming regions near Red Cloud's agency in 1876 but no record of contact with him. However there were eleven diplomatic ventures by Red Cloud into Washington between 1876-1890 and as Japan had been entertaining diplomatic ventures to Washington in these years (with this theme in the Charles Bronson movie "Red Sun" 1971). It seems reasonable that Red Cloud would possibly have acquired this in those visits.

Dr Bleed spent quite a few years studying in Japan, and knows the swords well, and his notes on the Red Cloud sword are interesting, in that these fittings (handachi) were important and not the sort which might be seen on trade or less than entirely authentic sword.

On the Dog Child sword, this one has more specific provenance, as it coincides with the travel to Japan by the missionary to the Blackfoot in Alberta in 1895 to marry a lady missionary there, and they returned to Fort MacCleod, in Alberta where this photo was taken. Interestingly, this sword is in tachi fittings as is the sword in the Bronson movie.

There was little, if any, possibility of Japanese Nihonto being outside Japan prior to the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, which of course virtually dismissed the Samurai. While the traditions including sword making continued in degree in more covert manner, in the following years numbers of such swords would enter trade situations but not until early 20th century. These were not the same as other European and US swords obviously, and these two known examples were clearly diplomatic.

Jim McDougall · 2nd September 2022, 03:18 PM

In reviewing some of the material covered to look further into actual use of the saber as a combat weapon by Indian warriors, in its original state, not altered etc. I wanted to add these excerpts. As many of the recorded events with warriors using the saber are in Indian paintings, it is tempting to think of these as using metaphor or artistic license. However in my view, Indian paintings are depicted rather accurately (despite the rudimentary artistic skills) as actual events are regarded as actually seen, not using symbolic or metaphoric additions. Therefore if a saber is depicted, then it was there. The lack of commonality in the inclusion of swords in paintings corresponds to the notably limited use of it in action. Still, the objective is to show that the saber was used in degree, and effectively when it was.

In a skirmish between US cavalry from Ft. Leavenworth Kansas and Cheyenne warriors May 18, 1865:
"...several of the Cheyennes carried cavalry sabers and used them expertly".
(Austerman, 1990, op.cit. p.15)
It is noted as well that "...the most extensive documentation of the Indian reliance on the saber comes from the Sioux Nation of the Northern Plains".

With that statement followed by the account by Lt. James Carleton of the 1st Dragoons in 1845 encountering Dakota Sioux. In his account he notes they purchased these from 'the traders', but claims they wear them only for grandeur, and that they throw away the scabbard carrying only the blade.

The author notes this assumption was incorrect, going on to describe several instances of effective use of the saber by Sioux and Cheyenne.
It seems unclear why warriors would throw away the scabbard. It is interesting though that the Indians would purchase sabers from traders unless they intended to use them.
The 'grandeur' thing is pretty off center as well. An Indian warrior would not wear unwarranted awards or decoration, such as cavalry swords unless taken as trophy in combat or received as gift etc. This goes to the wearing of symbolic awards such as feathers etc. To do so would fall under the heading of what we know in our times as 'stolen valor'.

While much notation of actual use of the saber by Indian warriors is essentially anecdotal, it seems well placed and supported by contemporary sources despite the rather limited degree of incidental use. Still the sword in this context in my view, must be seen in the same way as it is in the use of the US cavalry, actually used in combat, but also ceremonially on occasion.

1st September 2022, 11:39 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Thank you guys, there was indeed some presence of Japanese Samurai swords with American Indian tribes in the latter 19th century, but the only real evidence are two examples, this one with Indian scout Dog Child in Alberta sometime pre 1900, the other was one one the wall of Red Cloud's house at Pine Ridge, S.D. in 1890. I recall talking with Dr Bleed on this some years ago, and this article, and with the Red Cloud example we can only speculate but there seem to be several possibilities. In one case there were diplomats from Japan in Wyoming regions near Red Cloud's agency in 1876 but no record of contact with him. However there were eleven diplomatic ventures by Red Cloud into Washington between 1876-1890 and as Japan had been entertaining diplomatic ventures to Washington in these years (with this theme in the Charles Bronson movie "Red Sun" 1971). It seems reasonable that Red Cloud would possibly have acquired this in those visits. Dr Bleed spent quite a few years studying in Japan, and knows the swords well, and his notes on the Red Cloud sword are interesting, in that these fittings (handachi) were important and not the sort which might be seen on trade or less than entirely authentic sword. On the Dog Child sword, this one has more specific provenance, as it coincides with the travel to Japan by the missionary to the Blackfoot in Alberta in 1895 to marry a lady missionary there, and they returned to Fort MacCleod, in Alberta where this photo was taken. Interestingly, this sword is in tachi fittings as is the sword in the Bronson movie. There was little, if any, possibility of Japanese Nihonto being outside Japan prior to the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, which of course virtually dismissed the Samurai. While the traditions including sword making continued in degree in more covert manner, in the following years numbers of such swords would enter trade situations but not until early 20th century. These were not the same as other European and US swords obviously, and these two known examples were clearly diplomatic.

2nd September 2022, 03:18 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	In reviewing some of the material covered to look further into actual use of the saber as a combat weapon by Indian warriors, in its original state, not altered etc. I wanted to add these excerpts. As many of the recorded events with warriors using the saber are in Indian paintings, it is tempting to think of these as using metaphor or artistic license. However in my view, Indian paintings are depicted rather accurately (despite the rudimentary artistic skills) as actual events are regarded as actually seen, not using symbolic or metaphoric additions. Therefore if a saber is depicted, then it was there. The lack of commonality in the inclusion of swords in paintings corresponds to the notably limited use of it in action. Still, the objective is to show that the saber was used in degree, and effectively when it was. In a skirmish between US cavalry from Ft. Leavenworth Kansas and Cheyenne warriors May 18, 1865: "...several of the Cheyennes carried cavalry sabers and used them expertly". (Austerman, 1990, op.cit. p.15) It is noted as well that "...the most extensive documentation of the Indian reliance on the saber comes from the Sioux Nation of the Northern Plains". With that statement followed by the account by Lt. James Carleton of the 1st Dragoons in 1845 encountering Dakota Sioux. In his account he notes they purchased these from 'the traders', but claims they wear them only for grandeur, and that they throw away the scabbard carrying only the blade. The author notes this assumption was incorrect, going on to describe several instances of effective use of the saber by Sioux and Cheyenne. It seems unclear why warriors would throw away the scabbard. It is interesting though that the Indians would purchase sabers from traders unless they intended to use them. The 'grandeur' thing is pretty off center as well. An Indian warrior would not wear unwarranted awards or decoration, such as cavalry swords unless taken as trophy in combat or received as gift etc. This goes to the wearing of symbolic awards such as feathers etc. To do so would fall under the heading of what we know in our times as 'stolen valor'. While much notation of actual use of the saber by Indian warriors is essentially anecdotal, it seems well placed and supported by contemporary sources despite the rather limited degree of incidental use. Still the sword in this context in my view, must be seen in the same way as it is in the use of the US cavalry, actually used in combat, but also ceremonially on occasion.