Prince Tokugawa encouraged Emperor Hirohito’s younger brother Prince Takamatsu and Princess Takamatsu to take a fourteen month Goodwill World Tour during 1930-1931. In Washington, D.C., they were personally escorted by President Herbert Hoover down Pennsylvania Avenue, as part of their special reception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These rare antique photos present a long forgotten 1931 diplomatic event where Prince and Princess Takamatsu as a gesture of international goodwill visited the US Capital and were personally escorted down Pennsylvania Avenue. by President Herbert Hoover, as thousands of onlookers gathered to honor their visit. Surprisingly, it has proved difficult to find news coverage about the above diplomatic procession.

Left to right in the center of the procession photo: Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Katsuji Debuchi speaks with President Hoover (wearing a top hat and holding a cane); Princess and Prince Takamatsu walk side by side.  Included above are two earlier individual photos of Princess and Prince Takamatsu.

 

 

In 1988 an international goodwill organization PRAEMIUM IMPERIALE was created to honor Prince Takamatsu and his efforts to utilize the arts as a means of bringing nations and peoples together in mutual appreciation and goodwill.

The below Sunday, Sept. 19th, 2021 full page announcement in the NEW YORK TIMES honors this prestigious organization’s 2021 artist award recipients.

 

The Praemium Imperiale is a global arts prize awarded annually by the Japan Art Association. Since its inauguration in 1988, it has been recognized as a  significant supporter of the arts – Six nomination committees, each chaired by an International Advisor, propose candidates in five fields: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music and Theatre/Film.

The below link gives you a detailed introduction to Praemium Imperiale and its laureates in words, image, audio and video.

https://www.praemiumimperiale.org/en/

 

Prince Tokugawa’s biography highlights Prince and Princess Takamatsu, who served as representatives of Japan, promoting international friendship through the exchange of the arts and intercultural events. This biography includes many more rare photos of Prince Takamatsu and Princess Takamatsu’s exciting 1930-1931 Goodwill World Tour. Over the past two decades, a large collection of rare photos of Prince Takamatsu and Princess Takamatsu were collected by the author of this blog post. Perhaps, a film documentarian who also enjoys history will assist in creating a documentary about this Royal Couple, highlighting their 19301-1931 Goodwill World Tour.

 

PRINCE TOKUGAWA’S BIOGRAPHY  IS AVAILABLE IN TWO VERSIONS: “THE ART OF PEACE”  & “The ART OF DIPLOMACY”

 

PRINT & KINDLE EDITION

 

 

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