Author of The Emperor and the Spy
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Winter 2020 Catalogue
University of California San Diego (UCSD): EXTENSION
On January 8th, 2020 the author of The Emperor and the Spy shared a new historical perspective on U.S. Japan relations during the first half of the twentieth century.
This Osher catalogue includes a description of the presentation.
The Mashbir Archives highlight Colonel Sidney Forrester Mashbir’s significant role in history, drawing from his personal letters, official documents, and photographs, as well as other fascinating historical materials gathered during the past twenty years of research. Colonel Mashbir (1891-1973) wore many hats during his long career: as a spy, a diplomat, a linguist, and as a scientist/inventor. During the 1920s and 1930s, he allied with top Japanese leaders in the pursuit of good relations between the U.S. and Japan.
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.]
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 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 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.
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.
Above is the 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.