Treasures Stolen During Battle of Okinawa Returned to Japan Decades Later
In a remarkable turn of events, a cache of valuable artifacts stolen during the Battle of Okinawa in Japan in the final months of World War II has been recovered and returned to their rightful owners. The artifacts, which include vibrant paintings, pottery, scrolls, and a hand-drawn map, were found in the attic of a Massachusetts home belonging to a World War II veteran.
The veteran’s family discovered the treasures after his death last year and reported the find to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team. The artifacts were then brought to the National Museum of Asian Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for verification.
Geoffrey Kelly, a special agent with the F.B.I., described the moment when the scrolls were unfurled as witnessing history that hadn’t been seen by many people in a long time. The artifacts were confirmed by Smithsonian experts as authentic pieces from the Ryukyu Kingdom, a dynasty that ruled in Okinawa for 450 years.
The recovered items were returned to Okinawa in January, and a formal repatriation ceremony is planned to take place next month in Japan. Travis Seifman, an associate professor at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, emphasized the significance of recouping cultural treasures and knowledge of Okinawa’s history.
The cache of 22 artifacts includes two portraits of Ryukyu kings, which are the only surviving paintings out of as many as 100. A typewritten letter found with the artifacts indicated that they had been taken from Okinawa by a U.S. soldier stationed in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Colonel Andrew Scott DeJesse, a cultural heritage preservation officer, accompanied the artifacts back to Okinawa and explained how the veteran had found the items near a dumpster and recognized their value. He highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage and educating military personnel about the obligation to protect such artifacts.
The Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest campaigns of World War II, resulted in the loss of many lives and cultural treasures. The repatriation of these stolen artifacts serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and respecting the cultural heritage of all nations.
