Author of The Emperor and the Spy
The above 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.
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:
Prince Iyesato Tokugawa took a guiding role in the Japanese gifting of the cherry blossom trees to the U.S. Capital in 1910 and 1912, and the transformation of that international token of goodwill into becoming the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in 1935 – This was discovered while researching for an illustrated biography on Prince Tokugawa, titled: THE ART OF PEACE.
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 her 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 – However, many of Japan’s important contributions to the winning of that conflict are little remembered today. Japan strongly assisted militarily and also aided the Allies’ sick and wounded.