History of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Archives

This biography celebrates one of the great international statesmen of his time. Prince Tokugawa Iesato (1863-1940) (aka Prince Iyesato Tokugawa), an adept diplomat and humanitarian who served as a cultural and political bridge between the East and the West, while also supporting mutual respect within Asia. Continue Reading...

Prince Tokugawa’s illustrated biography comes in two versions: THE ART OF PEACE digital edition & the Print and Kindle edition titled: THE ART OF DIPLOMACY.

March 1, 2021 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

DIGITAL EBOOK EDITION

PRINT & KINDLE EDITION

Prince Tokugawa’s Pivotal Role in Establishing the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC.

May 2, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

Prince Iyesato Tokugawa guided the Japanese gifting of the cherry blossom trees to the U.S. Capital in 1910 and 1912 into becoming an international token of goodwill which is now officially known as the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival – His behind the scenes role in accomplishing this diplomatic success was discovered while researching for the illustrated biography on Prince Tokugawa, titled: THE ART OF PEACE. Continue Reading...

Welcome!

April 13, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

The illustrated Blog posts on this website focus on U.S. Japan relations and Japanese history.

Katz was a Specialist in Rare Books and Ephemera when he acquired the personal papers of a Master Spy, Colonel Sidney Forrester Mashbir (1891-1973). These fascinating materials, combined with his passion for history and many years of research resulted in the exciting historical novel THE EMPEROR AND THE SPY, followed by a sequel, an illustrated biography titled: THE ART OF PEACE. Continue Reading...

THE ART OF PEACE: the illustrated biography of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa – Introduction

April 13, 2020 by Stan S. Katz 3 Comments

For centuries, the Shoguns ruled over a relatively isolated feudal society. Prince Iyesato Tokugawa aka Prince Tokugawa Iesato was to become the next shogun, but when that dynasty ended, he instead creatively guided an emerging Japan onto a modern, interconnected world stage.

Description of the book cover photo: Continue Reading...

Recently discovered: 1908 Photo – Frank A. Vanderlip future president of the Japan Society of New York City leads the first official, modern day U.S. business delegation to Japan to meet with Shibusawa Eiichi and representatives of Mitsui & Co., and other Japanese business leaders.

February 16, 2020 by Stan S. Katz 2 Comments

This 1908 photo presents an exciting moment in international business relations, the first modern day U.S. Japan trade/economic alliance which helped the U.S. during a period of economic instability, while at the same strengthening U.S. Japan political and cultural relations. Continue Reading...

Only recently discovered 1915 Photo: Former Presidents Theodore Roosevelt & William Howard Taft honor Baron Shibusawa during his important diplomatic visit. Their goal to establish a strong US Japan alliance for World War One.

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:

INTRODUCTION Continue Reading...

To Honor the Friendship & 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

In the Spirit of International Goodwill

The clay 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.

INDEX from THE ART OF PEACE

October 15, 2019 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

The Art of Peace presents the inspiring life and accomplishments of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (aka Prince Tokugawa Iesato – 1863-1940), an amazing international statesmen and humanitarian. The biography is available in two versions: the more streamlined General reader edition and the ‘Expanded’ edition, which includes additional historical notes and an Index…This Index is presented further below to assist historians/educators/students doing research about this intriguing period of history, and for those pursuing genealogical research about their family members who were socially or politically active during that period. Continue Reading...