History of Japanese Friendship Garden Archives

History has its Mysteries: Recently Discovered 1915 Photo: Theodore Roosevelt & William Howard Taft honor Baron Shibusawa Eiichi during his important diplomatic visit to the United States.

February 6, 2020 by Stan S. Katz 5 Comments

This is the only known photo of a significant 1915 U.S. Japan diplomatic event. The description on the lower left corner states:

Dinner to Baron Shibusawa. East & West Meeting, Sherry’s [restaurant] New York City, December 3, 1915. (Actual photo size: 20 by 12 inches.)

The above original photo is age-darkened and torn, and is also missing a corner and a segment of the left edge. These imperfections have been corrected during the restoration process as shown in the photo below:

To Honor the Alliance between Presidents Theodore Roosevelt & William Howard Taft with the Japanese leaders Baron Shibusawa & Prince Tokugawa, a bronze sculpture is offered as a Gift to the Japanese Friendship Garden

December 9, 2019 by Stan S. Katz 1 Comment

Clay version of the bronze relief sculpture that is to be presented to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego.

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 website presents additional blog posts revealing the strong alliance between them. Continue Reading...