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Dog Child, a North West Mounted Police scout, and his wife, members of the Blackfoot Nation, Gleichen, Alberta, ca. 1890. Photographer: Trueman and Caple Photo, Vancouver, British Columbia. Silver gelatin print. National Archives of Canada
Why does Dog Child have a Japanese sword?
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Well doing a little google mapping, it's a pretty straight shot from Japan to Vancouver, Seattle, etc. Since Gleichen appears to be outside of Calgary perhaps some enterprising trader from Japan made his way to the NW Coast or from the NW Coast to Japan and back with it.
Add in some horse trading of one sort or another and I suppose I can see where a guy a few hundred miles inland could wind up with it. Maybe even confiscated from an illegal gambling joint since he's part of the NWMP?
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
The Japanese were not known for trading in their swords, even of munitions quality, because the design was more traditional in their rather limited sphere. Also, they had had a big surrender of swords (which means what since there are still some 800 year old blades extent?). I consider it an oddity not easily explained by a flippant response. Surely some Canadian knows.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Not trying to be flippant, just thinking through the options.
AFA not trading in swords, it would not surprise me to find out someone in Japan or a Japanese traveler trying to get back home was desperate enough to part with a prized possession.
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
Are you certain it's Japanese? There are cavalry pieces that have that blade shape, and the pommel may have been altered. The grip looks western to me also, but it may be my eyesight.
That sword is definitely a Japanese katana. Of that I have no doubt. It brings to mind the movie "The Last Samurai" with Tom Cruse. Knowing the Japanese's interest in western military equipment and tactics at the end of the civil war, I wonder if there wasn't some interaction between military officers, U.S. or Canadian and Dog Child ended up with a katana. First time I've even heard of such a thing, let alone a picture. Cool, Hobie.
Hobie, the scabbard tells more than the sword, IMHO. It appears to be a steel military scabbard as opposed to a traditional Japanese sheath. It seems to be reinforced with at least three possibly four metal bands around it, along with the tip which protects the scabbard if it gets dragged a little on the ground. What do you think?
I asked the Japanese Consulate if they could provide info. This is what I got"
In approximately 1899 the Emporer General of Japan accompanied an expedition to Alberta to meet with the Chief Marshal of the Calgary Mounted Unit. The primary goal of the visit was to set-up a sugar and honey exchange for Japanese herbs and the education and roots to start Japanese gardens with plants that are native to a similar elevation and climate as that in the area of Alberta. This gave way to an open trade agreement with Japan has lasted over a century. The Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities was formed. Cities in each Country were sistered based on similarities and share holidays, traditions and cultural events.
Not a direct answer, but I guess Dog Child was either a guest at one of these expeditions or the sword came from one of those and ended up with him indirectly.
Definitely not an American sword. All U.S. swords had finger/hand guards, this one does not have one. Scabbard does appear to be more European than Oriental though.
Gun Smith wrote:Definitely not an American sword. All U.S. swords had finger/hand guards, this one does not have one. Scabbard does appear to be more European than Oriental though.
Not true here is the Marine Officer Mameluke Sword.
But I do agree not an American blade. I go with it being a Katana.
Jeremy
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy Semper Fidelis
Nath wrote:Hobie, that don't look all that Jap to me but what the heck do I know
Do Japanese swords have a guard like that??
Nath.
Nath you guys have me wondering if we're looking at the same photo. That's a long grip from the tsuba up past his wrist. Maybe I should blow up that portion...
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
86er wrote:I asked the Japanese Consulate if they could provide info. This is what I got"
In approximately 1899 the Emporer General of Japan accompanied an expedition to Alberta to meet with the Chief Marshal of the Calgary Mounted Unit. The primary goal of the visit was to set-up a sugar and honey exchange for Japanese herbs and the education and roots to start Japanese gardens with plants that are native to a similar elevation and climate as that in the area of Alberta. This gave way to an open trade agreement with Japan has lasted over a century. The Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities was formed. Cities in each Country were sistered based on similarities and share holidays, traditions and cultural events.
Not a direct answer, but I guess Dog Child was either a guest at one of these expeditions or the sword came from one of those and ended up with him indirectly.
Now that is interesting.
BTW, the Consulate wouldn't answer/return my calls. You must have some pull there...
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Gun Smith wrote:Definitely not an American sword. All U.S. swords had finger/hand guards, this one does not have one. Scabbard does appear to be more European than Oriental though.
Not true here is the Marine Officer Mameluke Sword.
But I do agree not an American blade. I go with it being a Katana.
The Mameluke is not a sword of western design (and you know that )
I was thinking that the photo was a cavalry saber that had the guard removed, but that grip IS awfully long.
Last edited by FWiedner on Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Government office attracts the power-mad, yet it's people who just want to be left alone to live life on their own terms who are considered dangerous.
History teaches that it's a small window in which people can fight back before it is too dangerous to fight back.
Gun Smith wrote:Definitely not an American sword. All U.S. swords had finger/hand guards, this one does not have one. Scabbard does appear to be more European than Oriental though.
Not true here is the Marine Officer Mameluke Sword.
But I do agree not an American blade. I go with it being a Katana.
The Mameluke is not a sword of western design (and you know that )
I was thinking that maybe it was an old cavalry saber that had the guard removed.
I was referring to this comment "All U.S. swords had finger/hand guards," The blade design is American it is the grip/hilt that is not. Either way it was in use by the Marine Officer Corps around the time in question which makes that statement false.
Jeremy
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy Semper Fidelis
I had a WWII Japanese military katana at one time in military furniture and the saya/scabbard was in appearance a lot like the one shown. I still have one and the tsuka/handle is in military furniture, but the saya is leather wrapped with wooden core.
From what I've read, fur traders were notorious for acquiring exotic items in the course of their travels. I would imagine that he got it in some sort of trade, probably with very little fanfare. It is a super interesting photo though. Thanks for posting it.
bogie
Sadly, "Political Correctness" is the most powerful religion in America, and it has ruined our society.
I received these responses from The Japanese Sword Society of Canada:
"Greetings Bruce.
Yes this is a photo that has been widely circulated and published widely as well.----The most applicable explanation is that at that time a contingent of Japanese emissaries were traveling thru out the US and Canada observing our customs . for this photo the most likely explanation was that it was loaned to him for this specific photo by one of the visiting Samurai.---------Fred"
"Hi Bruce
I just thought I would comment further-----If you look closer at the photo. you will see that the scabbard or saya has double Hangers indicating that this sword is a tachi and further that it is a navy saya of 1934 vintage ??? which leaves one to ask whether this photo indeed was photographed in 1890. I also have grave doubts about the gun as well it also was probably loaned for this photo. the holster also looks like a 1930 model made for film work and that's another possible explanation for the sword it could be a film prop.--------Fred"
