BOSTON — Twenty-two historical artifacts looted after the Battle of Okinawa in World War II have been returned to Japan after a Massachusetts family discovered them among their late father’s personal items, the FBI said Friday.
The 22 artifacts, some dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, represent an important piece of Okinawa history. The items include six portraits, a hand-drawn map of Okinawa from the 19th century, and several pieces of pottery and ceramics, officials said.
The FBI’s Boston Division said it helped orchestrate the return of the items, which had been missing for nearly 80 years, to the government of Japan in Okinawa Prefecture. A formal repatriation ceremony will take place in Japan at a later date.
In 2001, the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education registered some of the artifacts with the FBI’s National Stolen Art File, a database of art and cultural properties reported to the FBI as stolen by law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
The artifacts were discovered when a family, who wish to remain anonymous, came across valuable Asian art in their late father’s personal belongings, according to the FBI.
Their father was a veteran of World War II but never served in the Pacific Theater. The family then checked the National Stolen Art File and discovered that at least four of the items were missing 18th century portraits included in the database.
The FBI was able to authenticate the artworks.
“This case highlights the important role the public plays in recognizing and reporting potentially stolen art. We would like to thank the Massachusetts family who did the right thing by contacting us and donating these treasures so we could return them to the people of Okinawa,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge FBI Boston Division. in a statement.
On Friday, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki announced the return of the artifacts to the people of Okinawa, Japan, according to the FBI.