Stan. S. Katz

Author of The Emperor and the Spy

Introduction to The Art of Peace: the illustrated biography of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa

by 3 Comments

For centuries, the Shoguns ruled over a relatively isolated feudal society. Prince Iyesato Tokugawa 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: 

Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (aka Prince Tokugawa Iesato) receives an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid President of the university bestows this degree. Continue Reading...

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

by 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

  Continue Reading...

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

by 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.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Continue Reading...

Unknown U.S. Japan goodwill event circa 1915. Can you assist in identifying this event and the individuals in the photo?

by Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This diplomatic gathering is a mystery: no details are available to identify this event and the individuals who attended. You’ll notice that a meal was served in a traditional Japanese style and there are U.S. and Japan flags displayed at the back of the room. Historians/educators/family members are invited to share their insights as to what this event was linked to and who the individuals are. Please send whatever information you might have thru the comment section at the end of this blog post – That would be most appreciated. 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.

by Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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...

The 1909 Shibusawa Delegation visits Upstate, New York – U.S. and Japanese leaders come together in friendship over a Century Ago

by Leave a Comment

The Shibusawa 1909 Delegation is welcomed by the City of Ithaca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front cover to a celebratory Event Program/Dinner Menu (six page brochure) honoring the visit of Baron Eiichi Shibusawa & his wife, and his accompanying Japanese goodwill/business delegation.       

                       The description reads: Continue Reading...

During Ulysses S. Grant’s visit to Japan, he and his wife were honored guests of Shibusawa Eiichi and his wife. This rare, late 1800s, colorful Japanese woodblock print presents them watching festivities commemorating the U.S. Centennial Anniversary, highlighted by hot-air balloons displaying American flags.

by Leave a Comment

 

Grant’s world tour journey began after completing his two terms as U.S. president. Ulysses S. Grant with his wife Julia, and one of his sons, 29-year-old son Frederick, had planned a vacation to England to visit their daughter, Nellie, but this voyage mushroomed into an unprecedented journey, embarking on a two year world adventure on May 17, 1877 touring Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and being welcomed everywhere they visited.

The Grant family’s last stop was Japan in June 1879, before returning to the U.S. – According to the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation and Museum, Shibusawa Eiichi (then 39 years old) served as chairman of the Tokyo Committee to Welcome General Grant (18th President of the United States). Continue Reading...

In Support of Democracy during World War One, Prince Tokugawa and Baron Shibusawa guided Japan to aid the U.S., Britain, and France, as well as her other Allies – Theodore Roosevelt praises Japan for her important role in winning that war.

by Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When war first erupted in Europe in 1914, there was uncertainty as to whether or not, or to what degree, Japan would support Great Britain and Britain’s other allies in their struggle with Germany, a conflict that seemed far away from Japan’s shores. Prince Tokugawa and Baron Shibusawa along with their Japanese supporters had spent the prior decade promoting peace. But when war erupted, out of respect international justice, they guided Japan to play a significant role in aiding the Allies – Despite Japan’s important contributions to the winning that conflict, relatively little is remembered today. Japan strongly assisted militarily and aided the Allies’ sick and wounded. Continue Reading...

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

by 1 Comment

Above is the 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...

As President of the Japanese Red Cross, Prince Tokugawa took a leading role in the creation of Safe Zones that helped save the lives of tens of thousands of Jewish European refugees fleeing the Holocaust and over one-half million Chinese civilians during the years leading up to, and during, World War Two.

by Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (1863-1940 – aka Prince Tokugawa Iesato) devoted his life to promoting international goodwill. 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...