Rain in the Face with samurai sword???

[Peter Bleed]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02zTTsPzPtjmNmC6LW7bXFM38qMqgwHHgsYaCdfbfebSSvLKHAgTTRvkpHLuEVaRTNl&id=100075575127683

[Dave R]

I have read elsewhere that a better translation of his name is on the lines of "His Face is Like a Storm!"

 At the First Nations events I have been to they regularly parade the Stars and Stripes, commemorating the capture of the flag at the Greasy Grass.

[Bruce Pennington]

Posting the pic for posterity.  I can't see it as a Japanese sword, Peter.  Completely straight.  Looks more like a cane sword, or a cavalry sword?  There is an older post, which I cannot find, discussing Japanese swords in the Old West owned by Native American Indians, though.

 

[Fuuten]

Those feathery headdresses are just as impressive and memberable as when I was a young kid! 💭🦅

[Baba Yaga]

It's one of those stab things meant to pick up litter, see the tear running down his face.

[Peter Bleed]

You guys are tough! Indeed I doubt that this image says much about Japanese blade in Western America, but this TOPIC seems to really grab at the hearts of the Western crowd. This image seems to be making a small buzz so we will hear more about it. I thought it was worth noting in this august forum!

And, yes, several years back I did write a bit on the two best images of Nippon-to in the hands of Native Americans.

 “Indians and Japanese Swords on the North Plains Frontier,” Nebraska History 68 (1987): 112-115

P

 

[Tensho]

Its a ceremonial pipe. You can see the "L" shaped piece in the above photo.. You're  seeing a distorted picture. Here is another one with him holding the exact same props in the same studio. 

 

Circled below of what I'm talking about. 

[Alex A]

Not too sure, judging by the Uchiko powder ball in his other hand

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 10/8/2022 at 3:47 PM, Peter Bleed said:

I did write a bit on the two best images of Nippon-to in the hands of Native Americans.

 “Indians and Japanese Swords on the North Plains Frontier,” Nebraska History 68 (1987): 112-115

Expand  

YES!  I remember that!  Very fascinating article!  Sorry I forgot that it was you who wrote, dude!

[Tensho]

  On 10/9/2022 at 11:00 AM, Alex A said:

Not too sure, judging by the Uchiko powder ball in his other hand

Expand  

Haha. Must be used for cleaning this.

 

In all reality its a war club. If you look closely you can see the leather thong wrapping around the stone to secure it. 

 

 

Not sure why anyone would think the items in the photo are a Japanese sword? I know nothing about Native american history but a quick search can find similar items actually used by them. The "ceremonial pipe" may actually be a riding crop. I may be mistaken on that. Wish I could see whats being talked about on Facebook, but I'm not making an account. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Of course it could always be simple collective pareidolia. 

[Jacques]

It is a ceremonial pipe symlbolizing peace in the other hand we see a tomahawk symbol of war. 

 

 

A pow-wow

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 10/9/2022 at 7:49 PM, Bugyotsuji said:

pareidolia. 

Expand  

Just expanded my vocabulary today!  Pareidolia affects me when I see stamps on nakago that are really just scuffs, dents, and corrosion!