This bronze sculpture honors three great individuals.
Men of Peace who promoted Human Dignity and Racial Equality.
President Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (徳川 家達, August 24, 1863 – June 5, 1940)
Martin Luther King Jr. is well known as an American Christian minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. On October 14, 1964, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent means, inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.
Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (aka Tokugawa Iesato) was born during the American Civil War and would come to admire the values of Abraham Lincoln. During the early 1860s, Iyesato’s adopted father Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi received a personal letter from President Abraham Lincoln encouraging a close friendship between the United States and Japan. Ironically, Iyesato’s life would have similarities to that of Abraham Lincoln, both national leaders who went through a moral, constitutional, and political crisis leading to a civil war in their nations.
The years leading up to WWII saw a growing militarist and fascist movement taking over Japan, disrupting the democratically elected and peace loving Japanese congress. This Japanese militarists’ goal was to expand territorially into neighboring nations. Prince Tokugawa working his allies, including Shibusawa Eiichi, incorporated the study of Chinese literature classics into Japanese schools to encourage respect for the culture of their neighbor and thus promote good relations between these two countries. Tokugawa also shared Japanese cultural treasures through a impressive art exhibition sent to the United States as a means of bridging these two nations.
Historically, racism against Asians in the United States goes back to the mid-1800s into the first few decades of the 1900s. In response to this, Prince Tokugawa wished to guide Japan to take a more enlightened path. During the 1920s, Tokugawa incorporated Lincoln Essay Contests into all of Japan’s public schools and public universities. Large bronze commemorative medallions with the face of Abraham Lincoln upon them were awarded to the students who best expressed the noble values of Abraham Lincoln and his struggle to end slavery and racism.
This photo highlights the February 19, 1929 Award presentation to the student winners of the Third Lincoln Essay Contest which was held at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo. Prince Tokugawa was the President of the America-Japan Society which sponsored the event.
In photo: Prince Tokugawa (front center) and Count Aisuke Kabayama (at far right). This photo is courtesy of the America-Japan Society. This fine organization, located in Japan, was founded in 1917 and continues to this day to promote amity and mutual understanding between the Japanese and American people. Prince Tokugawa was its 2nd president from 1924 until his passing in 1940. To learn more, here is the internet link to the America-Japan Society: http://ajstokyo.org/en-home/
The winners of these essay contests were awarded an impressive Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Medallion in recognition of their accomplishment.
Below is the front and back of the academic award, which was 3 inches in diameter. The award included a blue velvet lined display case.
1930 Original Press Photo: Former US Ambassador to Japan Charles MacVeagh with Lincoln Essay contest winners, Japan.
Back of the Photo states:
“Winners of the Lincoln Essay contest under auspices of the Lincoln Centenary Assoc. and the Japanese-American Society photographed with American Ambassador when they receive prizes – Tokyo – left to right at the Imperial Hotel Miss Yuki Chiba, 1st prize; Ambassador Charles MacVeagh; Ichiro Kawasaki, 2nd prize and Tokuji Hasegawa, third prize. (Japan)”
Photo measures 8.5 x 6.5inches. Photo is dated 10-17-1930.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PRINCE TOKUGAWA
Below are two versions of his illustrated biography:
AVAILABLE AS A DIGITAL EBOOK
This expanded digital edition is largely identical to “THE ART OF DIPLOMACY” but has an additional 100 pages of historical notes to assist researchers.
Description of the above book cover photo:
Prince Iyesato Tokugawa receives an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid President of the university bestows this degree.
This presentation took place during a special luncheon given March 19th, 1934 in Los Angeles that was hosted by George I. Cochran, President of the Board of Trustees of USC. Prince Tokugawa was accompanied by his son Iyemasa, the newly appointed Minister to Canada.
Left to right in photo: Prince Iyesato Tokugawa; Iyemasa Tokugawa; George I. Cochran; Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid.
The Los Angeles Times stated that this honorary degree was given to Prince Iyesato Tokugawa:
“In recognition of distinguished service in international statesmanship,” and for his “support of many philanthropic and educational movements.”
In accepting the honor, Tokugawa respectfully said,
“He wished to receive this honor in the name of the Japanese people as a whole rather than as a personal distinction.”
The Los Angeles Times also said that a banquet dinner was to be hosted by the Japan-America Society of Los Angeles, to honor Prince Tokugawa’s visit. The Governor of California and the former Mayor of Los Angeles planned to attend.
AVAILABLE IN PRINT AND KINDLE EBOOK EDITIONS
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CREATION PROCESS FOR SCULPTURES
Presented below are some of the steps involved for the bronze sculpture presented earlier.
-Photos of these fine statesmen were first gathered which presented them from various angles to assist in gaining a three dimensional perspective.
-Blocks of clay are then sculpted (carved) into a general representation.
President Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (徳川 家達, August 24, 1863 – June 5, 1940)
This sculpture was created by the author of this blog post at the Lynn Forbes Sculpture Studio in the city of Carlsbad, California 2020. The above sculpture photo was taken inside that fine studio, whose exterior is shown in the below photo.
-Once the piece is completed, the clay is allowed to dry at room temperature for six weeks.
-Then it is baked at a high temperature which further hardens the material and turns the clay to a pinkish color.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Prince Iyesato Tokugawa symbolically stand on the shoulders of President Abraham Lincoln, continuing and promoting his legacy against racism.
These great individuals all put their lives on the line promoting their humanitarian beliefs.
A Bronze patina finish can be applied to the sculpture and the finished work can now remain as a hardened clay sculpture or it can be cast as bronze sculpture.
The above photo presents the statue in the author’s office.
A limited edition of this statue will be gifted to various organizations that promote positive international relations and social justice.
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