Stan. S. Katz

Author of The Emperor and the Spy

Tokugawa & Komatsu, Forgotten Heroes – Until his passing in 1940, Prince Iyesato Tokugawa held back WWII in the Pacific – Tokugawa’s diplomatic legacy lived on after WWII ended, when his protégé, Takashi Komatsu, guided the US and Japan to again become friends and allies.

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                             Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (1863-1940)      Takashi Komatsu (1887-1965)

Prince Tokugawa was the Heir to the last Shogun, a dynasty that had ruled Japan for 260 years. He served as President of Japan’s Upper House of Congress, was President of the Japanese Medical Association. And held many other leadership positions, shaping international and domestic policies of Japan. Based on his humanitarian accomplishments, US newspapers called him The Prince of Peace. It was only after his passing in 1940, that Japan was pressured by militants to enter WWII against the Allies.

Announcing an important new biographical work released in late 2024:

The Cherry Blossom Weeps for Me:  A Quest for the Dawn of Peace, by James Mikel Wilson.

This illustrated biography highlights the untold story of how Prince Tokugawa’s outstanding legacy lived on through his impressive protégé, the Japanese American statesman, Takashi Komatsu. Komatsu relit the torch of friendship and alliance between the US and Japan following WWII. Working with influential American leaders such as General MacArthur, John D. Rockefeller III, and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, as well as many others.

Print and Kindle Edition

 

When the author, James Mikel Wilson, first contacted me several years ago, it was a pleasant surprise. Wilson had read the The Emperor and the Spy, I’d written and was familiar with the illustrated Prince Tokugawa biographies that followed: The Art of Peace and The Art of Diplomacy. Those biographies described Komatsu during the years proceeding WWII. However, Wilson felt Komatsu deserved a biography to reveal how significant Komatsu was during the decades following WWII in re-kindling the strong friendship and alliance between the US and Japan.

“The Cherry Tree Weeps For Me” gives an intimate view of US / Japanese relations during the first 70 years of the 20th Century, beginning the journey through the eyes of twelve old, Komatsu. Who immigrated alone to America to seek his fortune. He would become a vital bridge between the East and West, meeting with Prime Ministers, Generals, US Presidents, and Secretaries of State. While maintaining his integrity and humility. This biography is also a testimonial to Monmouth University in Illinois, which Takashi Komatsu and the James Wilson attended. The book highlights many other alumni from that fine learning institution who took heroic and humanitarian roles linked to international relations – You’ll likely find yourself becoming a friend of Takashi Komatsu, seeing his life devoted to the highest values of humanity: joy, peace, love, and mutual respect.

Circa 1935: Takashi Komatsu takes the place for Prince Tokugawa, who was unable to attend the above diplomatic event. Source: America-Japan Society Press Photo [color enhanced].

Below is a description from the back of the above Photo.

American “Embassy Day” held in Tokyo to Honor New American Consul General and Secretaries. Takashi Komatsu, pinch-hitting for Prince Tokugawa as toastmaster at a recent luncheon of the America-Japan Society held in the Imperial Hotel. This event honored the Consul General and Mrs. George A. Makinson (of San Francisco), first Secretary of the Embassy and Mrs. Stuart E. Grummon (of Newark, N.J.), and Second Secretary and Mrs. W.T. Turner (from Emory, Georgia). Mr. Komatsu [standing], and to his right: Mrs. Makinson (with fur), Mr. Grummon and Mrs. Turner: and to his left: Mrs. Grummon and Consul General Makinson (baldish).

Mr. John L. Curtis, Far Eastern manager of the National City Bank of New York, said he was glad to return to Tokyo, his second home, after a summer in New England. Non-Embassy guests present included Mr. John Moorris, chief of the Far East bureau of the United Press, from Shanghai: Mr. Archibald T. Steele, of the Far East Bureau of the Chicago Daily News; and Captain Maxwell representing the Chicago Tribune, en route from the United States to Berlin via Siberia.

 

In many ways, The Cherry Tree Weeps for Me, is a sequel to the below books.

 

Mashbir was a brilliant US intelligence agent. During the 1920 and ‘30s, he allied with Prince Tokugawa, promoting amity between their nations. It was only after Tokugawa’s passing that militants pushed Japan into war. 

April, 1937: Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, following a Pan Pacific Club luncheon hosted by Prince Iyesato Tokugawa to honor Colonel Sidney Mashbir’s return visit to Japan. Tokugawa is seated adjacent to his American friend and ally, Mashbir. Accompanying them are several of Tokugawa’s other Japanese and American advisers. There was a rising militant movement in Japan and Mashbir was on a dangerous undercover mission. During Mashbir’s visit, Tokugawa heroically placed his own life in danger by sharing top secret intelligence information with Mashbir to bring back to the U.S. that might have preserved peace between their nations. However, their efforts were undermined. The novel The Emperor and the Spy highlights this untold story.

  • Despite their best efforts, WWII could not be stopped….Colonel Mashbir was then recruited by General Douglas MacArthur to command a top-secret intelligence organization ATIS (Allied Translator and Interpreter Section). ATIS grew to almost 5,000 members, and significantly shaped the successful Allied battle strategy in the Pacific, dramatically shortening the war. ATIS was mainly composed of thousands of first generation Japanese Americans (Nisei) who patriotically volunteered to serve under Mashbir’s command, translating and interpreting strategic military documents coming in from the Pacific battlefields. While also interrogating Japanese prisoners of war. And many also heroically went into the battlefield to serve at the front lines. Based on their major contributions, Colonel Mashbir felt the injustice of Presidential Executive Order 9066 that resulted in the illegal imprisonment of  loyal Japanese. Approximately 112,000 persons were sent  to “relocation centers” that would be their home for the duration of the war. Nearly 70,000 of the evacuees were American citizens. There were no charges of disloyalty against any of these citizens. Nor was there any means they could appeal their loss of property and personal liberty. 
  • Colonel Mashbir swore that once the war was over, he would devote himself to letting the world know of the major contributions made by patriotic Japanese Americans who had served under his command in ATIS.
  • Colonel Mashbir took a major role in ending WWII and orchestrated the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony. Thereby avoiding a major destructive battle on mainland Japan.
  • Mashbir arranged for General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito to meet, to plan the rebuilding of Japan and the rekindling of US / Japan friendship. Mashbir served as the translator and facilitator.

 

 Back cover: The Emperor and the Spy

Published 2015, 2017, 2019

Available in Print, Kindle, and Audiobook

 

Here are biographies that highlight the fascinating life of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa.

  Published 2019

KINDLE EDITION

DESCRIPTION OF BOOK COVER PHOTO:

When WWII ended, for various geopolitical reasons there was an urgent agenda in place to leave behind the details of the period leading up to that tragic conflict. And instead, the goal was to expediently reestablish Japan and the U.S. as friends and allies. This resulted in much of the significant peaceful Japanese diplomatic engagement during the prior decades to that war being lost, forgotten, or destroyed – For instance, the above book cover photo comes from what might well be the last remaining crumbling copy of a 1934 Japanese magazine. It presents Prince Tokugawa receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Southern California. The president of the university Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid hands the certificate 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 19, 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 Japanese Minister to Canada.

The Los Angeles Times stated that this honorary degree was given to Prince Tokugawa “in recognition of distinguished service in international statesmanship,” and for his “support of many philanthropic and educational movements.”

In accepting the honor, Tokugawa respectfully responded, 

“He wished to receive it in the name of the Japanese people as a whole rather than as a personal distinction.” 

The Los Angeles Times stated that a banquet dinner was to be hosted by the Japan-America Society of Los Angeles to honor Prince Tokugawa’s visit. The Governor of California and the former Mayor of Los Angeles planned to attend.

Surprisingly, the University of Southern California currently has no record of this event having taken place. 

And it’s an intriguing coincidence that during the following year, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from USC, on October 1, 1935. Prince Tokugawa and President FDR knew each other well. During Tokugawa’s 1934 visit to the U.S. the  two men met and discussed ways in which they could maintain amity between their nations. Prince Tokugawa invited FDR to visit Japan with hope that a face to face meeting between US and Japanese leaders including the Japanese Royal Family might strengthen their friendship and understanding.

*The publication of THE ART OF PEACE was brought to the attention of the leadership of USC, revealing significant forgotten history about their school from over 85 years earlier – It is exciting that not long afterwards, USC awarded honorary degrees to former USC Nisei (first generation Japanese-American) students who had not been allowed to continue their education at USC following their release from internment camps. In which they had been unfairly imprisoned during WWII – Many of these former students were deceased, so their honorary degrees were conferred to their families. There is a USC Annenberg Media article about this college degree presentation titled: “President Folt conferred honorary degrees to the families of 33 former Nisei students.” Written by Clara Preve-Durrieu, April 06, 2022. Thus correcting an injustice from the distant past.

 

The ART OF PEACE was republished in a General Reader Edition titled: THE ART OF DIPLOMACY.

(Note:  THE ART OF PEACE  has an additional 100 pages of historical notes to assist researchers.)

Print and Kindle Edition

 

Our times need inspiring role models in the art of peaceful and respectful international diplomacy – It would improve international relations in Asia to recognize Prince Tokugawa’s major humanitarian achievements as President of the Red Cross Society of Japan, promoting the creation of demilitarized safe zones in China. These havens helped protect the lives of hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians during the years leading up to and during WWII. They also served as refuge for tens of thousands of European Jews fleeing the Holocaust. 

During 1921-1922, Prince Tokugawa headed the Japanese Delegation to the Washington Naval Arms Limitation Conference, hoping to maintain peace.

To combat racism, during the 1920s and ’30s, Prince Tokugawa incorporated Lincoln Essay Contests into all Japan’s public schools and universities. Giving awards to students who wrote the best essays honoring the humanitarian principles of Abraham Lincoln.  

Prince Tokugawa took a guiding role in 1912 Japanese gifting of Cherry Trees to Washington, D.C. evolving into the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Our capital’s largest annual international goodwill celebration. This achievement has also surprisingly not yet been recognized.

The timing is right to bring deserved international attention to these outstanding statesmen: Prince Tokugawa and Takashi Komatsu.

 

Reader Praise for:

The Emperor and the Spy

The Art of Peace

The Art of Diplomacy

The Cherry Tree Weeps For Me

 

As President of the Japanese Red Cross, Prince Tokugawa took a leading role in the creation of Safe Zones that helped save the lives of tens of thousands of Jewish European refugees fleeing the Holocaust and over one-half million Chinese civilians during the years leading up to, and during, World War Two.

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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.

The above October 1934 press photo presents the American delegates to the conference held in Tokyo. Front row: U.S. Ambassador Joseph C. Grew (in light overcoat); on Grew’s right, holding papers and a cane, is Judge John Barton Payne, Chairman of the American Red Cross. (The other Red Cross representatives are not listed.) Ambassador Grew was a close ally of Prince Tokugawa. This was the important conference, where the foundation for Safe Zones in Japanese controlled Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, were established, which helped save so many Chinese and Jewish lives. Up till now, Prince Tokugawa has not been connected to these Safe Zones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 20th, 1934, Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)

The Art of Peace biography highlights Prince Tokugawa’s accomplished diplomatic career. One of its many themes is Tokugawa’s significant involvement during the 1920s and 1930s in preventing the growing anti-Semitism in Europe from spreading to Japan and negatively influencing Japan’s treatment of Jews. A great debt of recognition is owed by many, whose relatives were rescued by this noble individual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE THRU AMAZON:

General Reader Edition

Expanded Edition

Dec. 23, 1929 – J. Edgar Hoover oversees the protection detail for the visiting Japanese Naval Delegation in Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of State Stimson and the Japanese Ambassador Debuchi greet the visitors and escort them to the White House to meet with President Hoover

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Dec. 23, 1929 – A rare photo of J. Edgar Hoover as he oversees the protection detail for the visiting Japanese Naval Delegation in Washington, D.C. The Japanese delegation were were on their way to attend negotiations in Europe for the ratification of the 1930 London Naval Treaty (officially the Treaty for the Limitation and Reduction of Naval Armament). The delegation was greeted at the Washington Union (Train) Station by U.S. Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson and the Japanese Ambassador Katsuji Debuchi; the delegation then visited the White House to meet with President Herbert Hoover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 23, 1929 – This photo offers rare candid view of J. Edgar Hoover, who is wearing the straw hat in the background and standing near a policeman. This photo is a sectional view of the larger group photo. This sectional view allowed the enlargement necessary to clearly view J. Edgar Hoover. This photo presents a unique glimpse of Hoover during a Bureau of Investigation (prior name of the FBI) field operation, when he wasn’t posing for the camera.

This photo highlights the arriving Japanese Naval Delegation in Washington, D.C., prior to the delegation being received by President Herbert Hoover at the White House. We see U. S. Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson (1867 – 1950) at the far right, with Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Katsuji Debuchi  at the far left. They are greeting the arriving Japanese Naval Delegation at the Washington Union (Train) Station. The delegation was passing thru the U.S. on their way to Europe for the negotiations that would ratify the 1930 London Naval Arms (limitation) Conference. The 1930 The London Naval Treaty (officially the Treaty for the Limitation and Reduction of Naval Armament) was an agreement between Great Britain, Japan, France, Italy and the United States, signed on 22 April 1930. Seeking to address a loophole in the formidable 1922 Washington Naval Treaty (that created tonnage limits for each nation’s surface warships), it regulated submarine warfare and limited naval shipbuilding. Ratifications were exchanged in London on 27 October 1930, and the treaty went into effect on the same day.

One of the significant benefits of this treaty, beyond attempting to maintain peace, was that the Great Depression had just begun in late 1929, and the treaty encouraged less funds be spent in an international Arms Race, when that money could better be used for urgently needed social support programs during the economic downturn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is the larger version of the December 23, 1929 photo as the Japanese Naval Delegation arrive in Washington, D.C., on their way to the 1930 London Naval Conference.

Front row, Left to right: Admiral Seizō Sakonji; Japanese Ambassador Katsuji Debuchi; , T. Kawasaki, Reijiro Wakatsuki chief of delegates; U.S. Secretary of State Stimson: Hirosi Saito, Madame Takarabe, and Madame Debuchi. Back row right side: Takeshi Takarabe, assistant chief delegate (wearing glasses and standing behind his wife).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The individual in the background wearing a straw hat, adjacent to the policeman is J. Edgar Hoover (see below photo enlargements):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Edgar Hoover (January 1, 1895 – May 2, 1972) was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States and an American law enforcement administrator. He was first appointed as the director of the Bureau of Investigation – the FBI’s predecessor – in 1924 and was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director for another 37 years until his death in 1972 at the age of 77.

The Dec. 23, 1929 group photo was taken in front of the south main entrance to the Washington Union Station. Below is a circa 1929 postcard of the train station. The descriptive reverse side of the postcard is also displayed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a surprising discovery noticing that J. Edgar Hoover appeared in the Dec. 23rd, 1929 photo. The photo was acquired while doing research for the historical novel The Emperor and the Spy: The Secret Alliance to Prevent WWII, and the illustrated biography The Art of Peace by Stan S. Katz.

The Emperor and the Spy focuses on the life of a high level U.S. intelligence agent Colonel Sidney Mashbir who befriended and allied with Japanese leaders, including members of the Japanese royal family during the 1920s and 1930s, in a valiant attempt to maintain goodwill between their nations.

The Art of Peace biography is in many ways a nonfictional sequel to the novel and highlights the pivotal behind the scenes events in U.S. Japan relations during the first half of the twentieth century. The book highlights one of Colonel Mashbir’s closest and most influential Japanese allies Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (1863-1940).

For further information visit the website TheEmperorAndTheSpy.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to the Introduction of THE ART OF PEACE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to Introduction for THE EMPEROR AND THE SPY