Prince Iyesato Tokugawa Archives

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.]

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

February 19, 2020 by Stan S. Katz 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, significant 1908 photo – Frank A. Vanderlip future president of Japan Society of New York City leads the first formal U.S. business delegation to Japan to meet with Baron Shibusawa Eiichi and representatives of Mitsui & Co., and other Japanese business leaders.

February 16, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

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. Continue Reading...

History has its Mysteries: Recently Discovered 1915 Photo: Theodore Roosevelt & William Howard Taft honor Baron Shibusawa Eiichi during his important diplomatic visit to the United States.

February 6, 2020 by Stan S. Katz 5 Comments

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 Tokugawa Iesato encouraged Emperor Hirohito’s younger brother Prince Takamatsu and his recent bride Princess Takamatsu to take a fourteen month Goodwill World Tour during 1930-1931. While 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 are rare antique photos: the top photo presents a long forgotten 1931 diplomatic event where Prince and Princess Takamatsu as a gesture of international goodwill visited the U.S., and were personally escorted down Pennsylvania Avenue by President Herbert Hoover, as thousands of onlookers gathered to honor their visitors. Surprisingly, this photo appears to be the only one available that presents this diplomatic reception in the U.S. Capital. Continue Reading...

Prince Tokugawa’s Spirit of International Goodwill lives on thru the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. During the late 1930s, Prince Tokugawa and Kanō Jigorō, the educator and martial artist who founded the sport of Judo, promoted the 1940 Olympics come to Japan.

January 13, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

Prince Tokugawa and his allies vigorously advocated that 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. Continue Reading...

The History of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Prince Tokugawa’s Pivotal Behind the Scenes Role in Launching It.

January 2, 2020 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

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. Continue Reading...

In Support of Democracy, Prince Tokugawa and Baron Shibusawa guided Japan to support the United States, Britain, and her other Allies in World War One.

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 her other allies in their struggle with Germany. Prince Tokugawa and Baron Shibusawa along with their Japanese supporters had spent the prior decade promoting peace. But when war erupted, 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 during and after the war. 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

December 9, 2019 by Stan S. Katz 1 Comment

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...

President Theodore Roosevelt and Prince Iyesato Tokugawa worked together to improve U.S. Japan relations and combat anti-Asian Racism

November 1, 2019 by Stan S. Katz Leave a Comment

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.