Author of The Emperor and the Spy
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.
Prince Tokugawa and his allies vigorously advocated that the 1940 Olympics take place in Japan, hoping it would encourage peaceful international relations. Regrettably, that event was canceled due to the expanding conflict in Europe leading to WWII. Since then, the event was been staged in Japan several times, and Tokugawa would be delighted to know that 80 years after his passing, the Olympics is once again coming to his nation, to be shared with the world.
The Spirit of International Goodwill
President Roosevelt – Prince Tokugawa – Baron Shibusawa – President Taft
During the first decades of the 1900s, these four accomplished statesmen allied together to promote amity between their nations.
This relief sculpture has been accented with metallic paint to look like a bronze – If the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego welcomes this gift, it will be cast in bronze and be presented as a token of goodwill from the San Diego World Affairs Council (a chapter of the World Affairs Councils of America) and perhaps also from the San Diego Diplomacy Council & the East West Center – Fine organizations that support international cooperation for a more peaceful and democratic world.
The early 1900s were at times challenging in terms of U.S. Japan engagement:
This October 23rd, 1907 Puck magazine cover shows President Theodore Roosevelt defending the nation of Japan from attack. Roosevelt is wearing a military uniform with the Japanese Imperial seal on his hat. He holds a rifle and confronts two rolled-up U.S. newspapers labeled the ‘Sun‘ and ‘World‘ who are also holding rifles and confronting Roosevelt – The background shows the flag of the Japanese Imperial Army.
Circa 1917: Roland Sletor Morris. Following his Sept. 20th, 1917 reception in Philadelphia, Morris soon proceeded to Japan. Source: Library of Congress /Bain News Service.
The interior of the Program/Menu to the reception is presented below.