International Friendship Archives

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. Regrettably, he 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, but in the meanwhile, he 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. Continue Reading...

THE ART OF DIPLOMACY: Exciting News – The inspiring life and accomplishments of Prince Tokugawa have finally come to light!

July 1, 2021 by Stan S. Katz 1 Comment

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

During the 1920s, Prince Tokugawa incorporated Lincoln Essay Writing Contests into all Japanese Public Schools and Colleges to Fight Racism and Honor the Values of President Abraham Lincoln.

February 8, 2021 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

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)

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...

Stan S. Katz YouTube Presentation on Significant Unknown U.S. Japan engagement during the first half of the Twentieth Century.

March 28, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

University of California San Diego

Below is a link to this YouTube presentation – This one hour video was followed by a one hour non-recorded question and answer session with inquiries from the one hundred attendees. Hope you enjoy.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – University of California San Diego presentation

The Japan Society of New York City Honors the Visit of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa – Recently Discovered 1934 Photo

February 22, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

Here is an important moment in history, when the leader of the Japanese peace and democracy movement met with his counterparts in the United States during a challenging period of U.S. Japan relations. This rare, perhaps one of a kind photo presents the Japan Society’s Annual Dinner event honoring Prince Tokugawa on Feb. 27, 1934 – This diplomatic goodwill gathering took place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. [Source of photo: TheEmperorAndTheSpy.com archives – The actual photo is 14 x 22 inches in size.]