Photo above: William Howard Taft (next to the gentleman whose image reveals only half of his face)
Photo below: Theodore Roosevelt (centered beneath the chandelier)
These rare photos are segments from a much larger 1915 photo (20 x 12 inches) that presents the many guests at this U.S. Japan diplomatic event. This antique photo appears to be the only one in existence. It was discovered while researching for the illustrated biography on Prince Iyesato Tokugawa, titled: The Art of Peace.
Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (1863-1940) and his close ally Baron Eiichi Shibusawa (1840-1931), along with their Japanese and non-Japanese supporters devoted themselves to creatively encouraging international goodwill and promoting democratic principles.
The entire 1915 group photo is shown within another blog post on this website. That blog post presents enlarged images of all of the sixty-five attendees and there is also a description the significant topics discussed during this gathering – Historians and family members are invited to assist in identifying the guests at this event; a dozen have thus far been recognized.
This 1915 photo is a time capsule which gives a fuller understanding of the history of U.S. Japan relations and a window to the exciting world of New York City during the early twentieth century. Several of the attendees thus far identified were actively part of the goodwill organization the Japan Society of New York City, which began in 1907, and actively continues to this day.
The below illustrations are from a 1910-1911 Japan Society of New York City publication which highlights the membership of the organization. This membership list will likely to be helpful in identifying many of the distinguished guests attending this significant 1915 event linked to the alliance between the U.S. and Japan, and with other Allied nations during World War One.
Below are several leading members of the Japan Society of New York City that have already been identified as attendees at the 1915 banquet event:
Jacob H. Schiff – Honorary Vice-President of Japan Society
Dr. Jokichi Takamine – Honorary Vice-President and Life Member of Japan Society
Consul-General K. Midzuno – Executive Committee of Japan Society
Dr. John H. Finley – Executive Committee of Japan Society
M. Zumoto – Executive Committee of Japan Society
Baron Eiichi Shibusawa – Life Member of the Japan Society
*Prince Iyesato Tokugawa – was a political ally of Baron Shibusawa. Prince Tokugawa was not at the 1915 event, but he is listed as being a Life Member of the Japan Society.
Below is the General Annual Membership List of the Japan Society – Some of these prestigious individuals might also have attended the 1915 dinner event honoring Baron Eiichi Shibusawa’s visit.
This Japan Society publication highlighted the 1853 visit to Japan by Commodore Perry which helped launch many years of friendship between the U.S and Japan.
Here is the link to the blog post that presents the entire 1915 diplomatic banquet photo. This blog post gives brief bios on the attendees that have been identified.
1915 Photo: Diplomatic banquet honoring the visit of Baron Shibusawa
To learn more about the Japan Society of New York City and their many social/cultural/educational activities, here is a link to there website:
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