Author of The Emperor and the Spy
These are rare antique photos: the uppermost photo presents a long forgotten 1931 diplomatic event where Prince and Princess Takamatsu, as a gesture of international goodwill, are personally escorted down Pennsylvania Avenue by President Herbert Hoover, as thousands of onlookers gathered to honor the Royal couple’s visit. Surprisingly, this photo appears to be the only one that could be found that presents this reception event in the U.S. Capital.
Prince Tokugawa and his allies vigorously promoted the 1940 Olympics take place in Japan, hoping it would encourage peaceful international relations. Regrettably, that event was canceled due to the expanding conflict in Europe leading to WWII. Since then, the event was been staged in Japan several times, and Tokugawa would be delighted to know that 80 years after his passing, the Olympics is once again coming to his nation, to be shared with the world.
The early 1900s were at times challenging in terms of U.S. Japan engagement:
This October 23rd, 1907 Puck magazine cover shows President Theodore Roosevelt defending the nation of Japan from attack. Roosevelt is wearing a military uniform with the Japanese Imperial seal on his hat. He is holding a rifle and confronting two rolled-up U.S. newspapers labeled the ‘Sun‘ and ‘World‘ who are also holding rifles and confronting Roosevelt – The background shows the flag of the Japanese Imperial Army.
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.
Description of the photo on the book’s cover: Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (aka Prince Tokugawa Iesato) receives an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Southern California. The president of the university Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid hands the degree to Prince Tokugawa. Left to right in photo: Prince Iyesato Tokugawa; Iyemasa Tokugawa; George I. Cochran; Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid. This presentation took place during a special luncheon given March 19th, 1934 in Los Angeles, hosted by George I. Cochran, the president of the school’s Board of Trustees. Prince Iyesato Tokugawa was accompanied by his son Iyemasa, the newly appointed Minister to Canada.
The Art of Peace presents the life of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (1863-1940), an amazing international statesmen and humanitarian. The biography is available in two EBook versions: the more streamlined ‘general reader’ edition and the ‘expanded’ edition. [Note: the ‘expanded’ edition presents additional historical notes and an Index.]
This blog presents the INDEX to the ‘expanded edition’ of THE ART OF PEACE. It is made available to assist historians/educators/students doing research about this intriguing and understudied period of history. It also serves the general public pursuing genealogical research about their family members who were socially or politically active during that period.
It’s a pleasure to announce the publication of the 65th Anniversary Edition of Colonel Sidney Mashbir’s exciting 1953 autobiography:
I Was an American Spy
Besides being a fascinating story, Colonel Mashbir’s autobiography is almost a textbook in the art of espionage and counter-espionage.
Colonel Mashbir (1891-1973) led an adventurous life – At the age of thirteen, he started his military career as a bugle boy in the Arizona Guard, in the still untamed Arizona Territory. During 1914-1916, he served under General Funston and General Pershing, and went on daring missions across the U.S./Mexican border during the Mexican Revolution, attempting to maintain peace between those nations. He personally escorted the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa to a peace parley with General Pershing in 1914.