For decades, Prince Tokugawa Iesato (aka Prince Iyesato Tokugawa – 1863-1940) devoted his life to maintaining peace in Asia and specifically preventing Japan from coming into conflict with China. Tokugawa saw the clouds of war growing in Europe, as well as the militants in his own country pushing Japan towards conflict with China. He resisted these aggressions and wished to protect as many innocent lives as he could. As president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Prince Tokugawa presided over the 1934 International Red Cross Conference in Tokyo (aka XVth International Conference of the Red Cross), where he urged the delegates to “Serve for Humanity.” It was at this gathering, where there was the first known example in history for the international creation of demilitarized Safe Zones, where civilians could find shelter, as outside warring armies fought one another.
The above October 1934 Press photo presents the American delegates to the conference held in Tokyo. Front row: U.S. Ambassador Joseph C. Grew (in light overcoat); on Grew’s right, holding papers and a cane, is Judge John Barton Payne, Chairman of the American Red Cross. (The other Red Cross representatives are not listed.) Ambassador Grew and Judge Barton Payne were close allies of Prince Tokugawa. This was the important conference, where the foundation for Safe Zones in Japanese controlled Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, were established, which helped save so many Chinese and Jewish lives. Up till now, Prince Tokugawa has not been recognized for his guiding role in the creation of these Safe Zones.
October 20th, 1934, Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)
Prince Tokugawa presided over the 1934 International Red Cross Conference held in Tokyo, where for the first time in history the concept of creating civilian/refugee Safe Zones in war-torn areas was established. Prince Tokugawa promoted these safe havens which continued to exist throughout WWII.
The above and below photo are courtesy of The Archive of the Jesuits in Canada / Archives des Jésuites au Canada http://jesuitarchives.ca.
The photos were supplied specifically for use in this blog post.
The photos had the below description in French:
“Dans la zone “Jacquinot” avec le consul Japonais”
Below is the English translation:
“In the “Jacquinot” zone [Shanghai, China] with the Japanese consul.”
The date of these photos is estimated to be circa 1937-1940.
In these photos the bearded gentlemen in the French beret is a kind-hearted and heroic Jesuit Priest, Robert Jacquinot de Besange, who spent many years serving in China. He is conversing with one of Prince Tokugawa’s Japanese government representatives.
Father Jacquinot, with Prince Tokugawa’s strong support guided the Japanese military and their Chinese military counter-parts to agree to avoid conflict in these demilitarized Safe Zones.
Once WWII ended, there was the strong desire on the part of both the US and Japan to leave the recent dark war period behind them and expediently move forward again as allies. For this reason, Prince Tokugawa his supporters have become forgotten international heroes, who deserve recognition.
THE ART OF DIPLOMACY AND THE ART OF PEACE versions of Prince Tokugawa’s biography highlight Tokugawa’s significant involvement during the 1920s and 1930s in preventing the growing anti-Semitism in Europe from spreading to Japan and negatively influencing Japan’s treatment of Jews. A great debt is owed to Prince Tokugawa, by many, whose relatives were rescued by this noble individual.
These books also offer important lessons in creative intercultural and political relations for our current and future leaders.
Hopefully, these new insights will help heal some of hard residual feelings in Asia linked to events from WWII.
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Praise
Paul Ringwood U.S. Navy Commander (retired) wrote:
“Amazing little known history. I enjoyed every chapter.”
Kazuo Kodama, former Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations wrote:
“I wish you all the best & best of luck on your new book on ‘’Tokugawa Iesato.”
Professor Benjamin Uchiyama, Ph.D. History, University of Southern California wrote:
“This is a really interesting and understudied topic.”
Suzette Heiman, Director of Planning and Communications – The Missouri School of Journalism at University of Missouri [The first school of Journalism in the U.S.] wrote:
“We look forward to adding this biography to the School’s library collection. Your goal to reach high school and college students with this information is an ambitious – but important – goal.”
Toru Shigehara: Head Librarian/Information Resources Center Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation and Museum wrote:
“We appreciate your kindness and all the work you have done to promote understanding of Shibusawa Eiichi and US-Japan relations as a whole. I wish you all the best in your current and future endeavors. With gratitude,”
Bill Davison – President of the North County Chapter of the San Diego World Affairs Council wrote:
“Entertaining and Educational! This wonderful book will almost certainly broaden your perspective on US-Japanese relationships.”
Professor Claire Langham, former President of the East-West Center of Southern California wrote:
“The importance of preventing war is rarely given recognition through literature and in accounts of history. It can be every bit as exciting as glorified accounts of war and certainly a better approach.”
Dr. Gerald Margolis, former Deputy Director of Operations of the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum, the Executive Director of the World Religions Museum in Taipei, Taiwan (1996-97), the Founding Director of the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles (1987-96) and the Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles (1983-96). Dr. Margolis offers the below description of my books/research:
“Once again, I am impressed by your diligence and adventurous engagement with a difficult subject. Your work is all about discovery. You seek out different tracks – I think you might wish to explore academic University departments that cover diplomacy, and the craft of international relations.”
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