Group of Samurai by the Sphinx in 1864

Atlantia · 19th August 2012, 03:03 PM

From this site.

"We turn back the clock to 1864, when a group of Japanese emissaries on a diplomatic mission to Europe posed for a photo in Giza, decked out in their full samurai regalia. Explains archaeologist Nicholas Reeves of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of this shot by photographer Antonio Beato.
[The mission's] aim was to persuade France to agree to the closing of the port of Yokohama to foreign trade, and allow Japan to retreat into isolation once more. The mission inevitably failed. In 1864, en route to Paris, the Ikeda mission visited Egypt. The stay was memorialised in one of nineteenth-century photography's most extraordinary images — the embassy's members, dressed in winged kamishimo costume and jingasa hats, carrying their feared long (katana) and short (wakizashi) swords, standing before the Giza Sphinx."

Jim McDougall · 19th August 2012, 03:16 PM

Absolutely amazing esoterica!!!

Reminds me of the 1972 movie "Red Sun" with Toshiro Mifune and Charles Bronson. Some years ago I recall some discussions and an article by Peter Bleed concerning the presence of Japanese katanas with American Indians in the latter half of the 19th century. A photo of the Sioux chief Red Cloud revealed a katana on a wall behind him.

Atlantia · 19th August 2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Absolutely amazing esoterica!!!

Reminds me of the 1972 movie "Red Sun" with Toshiro Mifune and Charles Bronson. Some years ago I recall some discussions and an article by Peter Bleed concerning the presence of Japanese katanas with American Indians in the latter half of the 19th century. A photo of the Sioux chief Red Cloud revealed a katana on a wall behind him.

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

Jim McDougall · 19th August 2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

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.

estcrh · 20th August 2012, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Some years ago I recall some discussions and an article by Peter Bleed concerning the presence of Japanese katanas with American Indians in the latter half of the 19th century.

Here is an example of that.

trenchwarfare · 20th August 2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estcrh

Here is an example of that.

Super cool thread! The Katana in the in the photo, looks to be a Satsuma Rebellion sword. According to the handle wrap. In looking at the Samurai in front of the Sphinx, it's a shame you can't see their cameras.

laEspadaAncha · 20th August 2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

Super cool thread! The Katana in the in the photo, looks to be a Satsuma Rebellion sword. According to the handle wrap. In looking at the Samurai in front of the Sphinx, it's a shame you can't see their cameras.

I'm just curious, what specific characteristics would you ascribe to the tsuka (and in particular the handle wrap) that you would attribute to the Satsuma Rebellion?

trenchwarfare · 21st August 2012, 01:27 AM

During the rebellion, any and all available blades were seized, and hastily assembled into swords. Often by unskilled individuals. Ito, was usually narrow, or even round cord. The wrapping technique was different, and left long narrow openings, revealing the same. Simple iron washers were used for menuki. The sword in the picture appears to have these narrow openings. This style wrap, also appears on WWII era Island made swords. (And, early Chinese fakes)

19th August 2012, 03:03 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Group of Samurai by the Sphinx in 1864 From this site. "We turn back the clock to 1864, when a group of Japanese emissaries on a diplomatic mission to Europe posed for a photo in Giza, decked out in their full samurai regalia. Explains archaeologist Nicholas Reeves of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of this shot by photographer Antonio Beato. [The mission's] aim was to persuade France to agree to the closing of the port of Yokohama to foreign trade, and allow Japan to retreat into isolation once more. The mission inevitably failed. In 1864, en route to Paris, the Ikeda mission visited Egypt. The stay was memorialised in one of nineteenth-century photography's most extraordinary images — the embassy's members, dressed in winged kamishimo costume and jingasa hats, carrying their feared long (katana) and short (wakizashi) swords, standing before the Giza Sphinx." Attached Images

19th August 2012, 03:16 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,773	Absolutely amazing esoterica!!! Reminds me of the 1972 movie "Red Sun" with Toshiro Mifune and Charles Bronson. Some years ago I recall some discussions and an article by Peter Bleed concerning the presence of Japanese katanas with American Indians in the latter half of the 19th century. A photo of the Sioux chief Red Cloud revealed a katana on a wall behind him.

21st August 2012, 01:27 AM	#8
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	During the rebellion, any and all available blades were seized, and hastily assembled into swords. Often by unskilled individuals. Ito, was usually narrow, or even round cord. The wrapping technique was different, and left long narrow openings, revealing the same. Simple iron washers were used for menuki. The sword in the picture appears to have these narrow openings. This style wrap, also appears on WWII era Island made swords. (And, early Chinese fakes)