Current:Home > ScamsFamily sorting through father's Massachusetts attic found looted Japanese art: See photos -AssetTrainer
Family sorting through father's Massachusetts attic found looted Japanese art: See photos
View
Date:2025-04-15 13:35:51
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! (634)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Illinois Supreme Court upholds unconstitutionality of Democrats’ law banning slating of candidates
- Babe Ruth’s ‘called shot’ jersey could get as much as $30 million at auction
- Polaris Dawn mission: Launch of commercial crew delayed 24 hours, SpaceX says
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- The Daily Money: Housing market shows some hope
- Amazon announces upcoming discount event, Prime Big Deal Days in October: What to know
- Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy: 7 People Dead After Rare Luxury Boat Disaster
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Sales tax revenue, full costs unclear if North Dakota voters legalize recreational marijuana
Ranking
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Kansas City Chiefs make Creed Humphrey highest-paid center in NFL
- Hawaii’s Big Island is under a tropical storm warning as Hone approaches with rain and wind
- NFL suspends Rams' Alaric Jackson, Cardinals' Zay Jones for violating conduct policy
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Anesthesiologist with ‘chloroform fetish’ admits to drugging, sexually abusing family’s nanny
- LGBTQ advocates say Mormon church’s new transgender policies marginalize trans members
- Cornel West can’t be on Pennsylvania’s presidential ballot, court decides
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Death of Connecticut man found in river may be related to flooding that killed 2 others, police say
Danny Jansen to make MLB history by playing for both Red Sox and Blue Jays in same game
Run To American Eagle & Aerie for Styles up to 90% Off, Plus Deals on Bodysuits, Tops & More as Low as $3
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
No. 10 Florida State started season with playoff hopes but got exposed by Georgia Tech
The surprising story behind how the Beatles went viral in 1964
Colorado won't take questions from journalist who was critical of Deion Sanders