Stan. S. Katz

Author of The Emperor and the Spy

Mystery photo: can you identify this circa 1915 US Japan diplomatic event and the individuals attending it?

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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. The above photo was color enhanced. The one beneath it is how it originally appeared. Continue Reading...

1920 – An Important Event Encouraging Good US / Japan Relations. Recently discovered Photo – Frank A. Vanderlip, a leading US business figure and president of the Japan Society of New York City meets with Shibusawa Eiichi and representatives of Mitsui & Co., and other Japanese leaders.

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Above  is an original 1920 photo (far right segment) of the larger photo shown just below. It presents an exciting moment in international business relations, an early U.S. Japan trade/economic alliance being formed, while at the same strengthening U.S. Japan political and cultural relations. This gathering took place at the home of Baron Shibusawa (seated front row, seventh from the left in the below photo). Continue Reading...

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

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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...

A Time Capsule to Cornell University from over a Century Ago. Looking for suggestions and assistance to bring its fascinating contents to life through a documentary film, an illustrated book, and classroom curriculum.

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This Photo/Memory Album Presents a Intimate View of Student Life during the early 1900s.

By Dr. Stan S. Katz    –    February 14th, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the blog posts that you’ll find on this website are linked to historical relations between the U.S. and Japan. However, on occasion another interesting historical topic is discovered that sparks the imagination and inspires the sharing of its story with others. Continue Reading...

Former Presidents Theodore Roosevelt & William Howard Taft secretly attend a 1915 diplomatic banquet in N.Y.C. honoring the visit of Baron Shibusawa. Their goal to establish a strong US Japan alliance for World War One. This photo was only recently discovered.

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This is the only known photo of a significant 1915 U.S. Japan diplomatic event. The description on the photo’s 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.)

This original photo is age-darkened and missing a small segment in the lower left. These imperfections have been corrected during the restoration process as shown in the photos below:

 

INTRODUCTION 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.

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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...

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.

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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...

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.

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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

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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...

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

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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 holds a rifle and confronts 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.

Continue Reading...