Current:Home > StocksFamily sorting through father's Massachusetts attic found looted Japanese art: See photos-InfoLens
Family sorting through father's Massachusetts attic found looted Japanese art: See photos
View Date:2024-12-23 15:44:13
Family members sorting through the attic of their father's Massachusetts home following his death last year were surprised when they came across what appeared to be a trove of Japanese cultural relics.
Fearing the artifacts did not rightly belong to their late father, the family checked the FBI's publicly-accessible National Stolen Art File, where their fears were confirmed. The collection of "valuable Asian Art" was indeed looted from Japan during the second World War, prompting the family to contact the FBI to ensure the items could be returned to their country of origin, the agency said in a news release.
Among the 22 artifacts the FBI recovered were painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that appear to have been divided into three pieces, a hand-drawn map of Okinawa dating back to the 19th century and various pieces of pottery and ceramics.
While the agency finally oversaw the return of the items to Japan last week, how the collection came into the Massechusetts man's possession remains a mystery: The man was a WWII veteran but did not serve in the Pacific theater, said Geoffrey Kelly of the FBI’s Boston field office.
“When taken together, they really represent a substantial piece of Okinawan history,” said Kelly, the FBI's art crime coordinator. "The family did the right thing."
Here's a look at the items the family found in their father's attic:
Missing student:Riley Strain talked to officer night he vanished, body cam footage shows
FBI returns 22 ancient Japanese artifacts found in Massechusetts man's attic
Several stolen artifacts remain missing
The collection of plundered items are believed to be among important documents and treasures of the Ryukyu Kingdom taken during the World War II Battle of Okinawa. Many of these missing artifacts were registered in 2001 with the FBI's National Stolen Art File and remain lost to this day.
Those with information about these pieces can submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.
“This case highlights the important role the public plays in recognizing and reporting possible stolen art,” FBI special agent Jodi Cohen, who leads the Boston field office, said in a statement. “We’d like to thank the family from Massachusetts who did the right thing in reaching out to us and relinquishing these treasures so we could return them to the people of Japan.”
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
veryGood! (2864)
Related
- Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light display in Manhattan changing up this season
- Tony Bennett’s Wife Susan and Son Danny Honor Singer’s “Life and Humanity” After His Death
- Nordstrom Clear the Rack Last Day to Shop: Jaw-Dropping Deals Including $3 Swimsuits
- Feel Free to Salute These Secrets About Saving Private Ryan
- Early Black Friday Deals: 70% Off Apple, Dyson, Tarte, Barefoot Dreams, Le Creuset & More + Free Shipping
- Wife of SpongeBob's Voice Actor Clarifies He's Not Dating Ariana Grande, Being Mistaken for Ethan Slater
- You'll Bend and Snap for Reese Witherspoon and Daughter Ava Phillippe's Latest Twinning Moment
- Why Oscar De La Hoya Says He Let Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler Raise Daughter Atiana
- Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
- Shop Deals on Activewear as Low as $9 at Nordstrom Clear the Rack Sale: Nike, Adidas, Skechers & More
Ranking
- Kentucky woman seeking abortion files lawsuit over state bans
- Get a $20 Deal on $98 Worth of Skincare From Peter Thomas Roth, Sunday Riley, Benefit, Elemis, and More
- Parker McCollum Defends Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean Amid Recent Controversies
- TikToker Emily Mariko Marries Matt Rickard
- Ariana Grande's Brunette Hair Transformation Is a Callback to Her Roots
- Prince George Is All Grown Up and Here to Make You Feel Old in 10th Birthday Portrait
- Coast Guard rescues 2 from capsized boat off Georgia coast
- Get $173 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Top-Selling Skincare Products for Just $53
Recommendation
-
Ex-Marine misused a combat technique in fatal chokehold of NYC subway rider, trainer testifies
-
You'll Buzz Over Samuel L. Jackson's Gift to Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds for Their 2008 Wedding
-
Hailey Bieber Will Influence You to Try TikTok's Viral Latte Makeup Trend
-
Barack and Michelle Obama's Chef Dies While Paddleboarding Near Their Martha's Vineyard Home
-
Trump is likely to name a loyalist as Pentagon chief after tumultuous first term
-
Coast Guard searching for cruise passenger who jumped overboard
-
Don't Miss Black Friday-Level Roku Deals on Smart TVs and Streaming Sticks
-
Wife of SpongeBob's Voice Actor Clarifies He's Not Dating Ariana Grande, Being Mistaken for Ethan Slater