Japan U.S. Relations 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

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

February 15, 2020 by Stan S. Katz 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...

Prince Tokugawa encouraged Emperor Hirohito’s younger brother Prince Takamatsu and Princess Takamatsu to take a fourteen month Goodwill World Tour during 1930-1931. In Washington, D.C., they were personally escorted by President Herbert Hoover down Pennsylvania Avenue, as part of their special reception.

January 14, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

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. 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.

December 28, 2019 by Stan S. Katz 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...

Friendship & Alliance between Presidents Theodore Roosevelt & William Howard Taft with the Japanese leaders Baron Shibusawa & Prince Tokugawa and a Tour of the Japanese Friendship Garden San Diego

December 9, 2019 by Stan S. Katz 1 Comment

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. Continue Reading...