Group of Samurai by the Sphinx in 1864

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

How wonderful! I wonder what Red Cloud's impressions were of his Katana?

Actually it seems that several of the Indian chiefs had gone to Washington during treaty negotiations as the wars and events were nearing thier end in that period. During thier visit apparantly the katana was among diplomatic gifts presented to figures in Washington during an earlier Japanese embassy and the katana was likely presented in that sense to Red Cloud. The sword, while not used as a weapon by the Indian warriors was held ceremonially as an emblem of power and there are numbers of examples of U.S. and other swords known.