Stan. S. Katz

Author of The Emperor and the Spy

The Japan Society of New York City Honors the Visit of Prince Iyesato Tokugawa – Recently Discovered 1934 Photo

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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.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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...

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...

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.

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Colonel Mashbir’s autobiography, “I Was an American Spy”

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It is an honor to announce the publication of:

The 65th Anniversary Edition of Colonel Sidney Forrester Mashbir’s exciting 1953 autobiography:

I WAS AN AMERICAN SPY

 

Besides being a fascinating story, Colonel Mashbir’s autobiography is a textbook in the art of espionage and counter-espionage.

Colonel Mashbir (1891-1973) led an adventurous life – At the age of thirteen, he began 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 stability between those nations. He personally escorted the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa to a peace parley with General Pershing in 1914. Continue Reading...