Family sorting through father's Massachusetts attic found looted Japanese art: See photos

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY
Updated

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 World War II, 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 Massachusetts 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:

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FBI returns 22 ancient Japanese artifacts found in Massachusetts man's attic

This bowl was among 22 centuries-old artifacts from Okinana that were recently returned to Japan. The FB worked with the Department of Defense and the Smithsonian Institution to oversee the return.
This bowl was among 22 centuries-old artifacts from Okinana that were recently returned to Japan. The FB worked with the Department of Defense and the Smithsonian Institution to oversee the return.
A turtle sculpture was among the 22 ancient artifacts that the FBI returned March 15 to Okinawa, Japan. A family in Massechusetts found them in their late father's attic after he passed away. The man was a WWII veteran but did not serve in the Pacific, the FBI said.
A turtle sculpture was among the 22 ancient artifacts that the FBI returned March 15 to Okinawa, Japan. A family in Massechusetts found them in their late father's attic after he passed away. The man was a WWII veteran but did not serve in the Pacific, the FBI said.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that were found in the attic of a WWII veteran who died in 2023. The FBI believes that three of them were originally one piece before they were divided.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that were found in the attic of a WWII veteran who died in 2023. The FBI believes that three of them were originally one piece before they were divided.
A small plate is among the looted Japan artifacts. The FBI began investigating the case in January 2023 after receiving a complaint from a family that found the items while sorting through their deceased father’s belongings. While man was a World War II veteran, he never served in the Pacific Theater.
A small plate is among the looted Japan artifacts. The FBI began investigating the case in January 2023 after receiving a complaint from a family that found the items while sorting through their deceased father’s belongings. While man was a World War II veteran, he never served in the Pacific Theater.
A small bowl was among the Okinawan items that had been lost to history for about 80 years after they were plundered from Japan. It's a mystery how they ended up in the attic of a WWII veteran who did not serve in the Pacific theater.
A small bowl was among the Okinawan items that had been lost to history for about 80 years after they were plundered from Japan. It's a mystery how they ended up in the attic of a WWII veteran who did not serve in the Pacific theater.
The FBI identifies this item as a "metal incense burner." These 22 items recovered in Massechusetts are believed to be among a repository of documents and treasures of the Ryukyu Kingdom taken during WWII. They'd be registered as stolen with the FBI in 2001.
The FBI identifies this item as a "metal incense burner." These 22 items recovered in Massechusetts are believed to be among a repository of documents and treasures of the Ryukyu Kingdom taken during WWII. They'd be registered as stolen with the FBI in 2001.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries. The artifacts were taken to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., where the scrolls were unfurled for the first time in many years, revealing portraits of Okinawan royalty in vivid reds, golds, and blue accents.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries. The artifacts were taken to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., where the scrolls were unfurled for the first time in many years, revealing portraits of Okinawan royalty in vivid reds, golds, and blue accents.
A jug is among the artifacts.
A jug is among the artifacts.
An ornate plate.
An ornate plate.
A metal bowl with a lid. The National Museum of Asian Art assisted the FBI in ensuring that the artifacts were properly packaged for transport to Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. The handover occurred Friday, March 15.
A metal bowl with a lid. The National Museum of Asian Art assisted the FBI in ensuring that the artifacts were properly packaged for transport to Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. The handover occurred Friday, March 15.
A jug was among the 22 looted Japanese items. "A nation's cultural identity is really summed up in the artifacts and the history,” Geoffrey Kelly of the FBI’s Boston field office said. “This is what makes a culture. And without it, you're taking away their history."
A jug was among the 22 looted Japanese items. "A nation's cultural identity is really summed up in the artifacts and the history,” Geoffrey Kelly of the FBI’s Boston field office said. “This is what makes a culture. And without it, you're taking away their history."
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries. “It's an exciting moment when you when you watch the scroll unfurl in front of you,” Kelly said. “You witness history, and you witness something that hasn't been seen by many people in a very long time.”
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries. “It's an exciting moment when you when you watch the scroll unfurl in front of you,” Kelly said. “You witness history, and you witness something that hasn't been seen by many people in a very long time.”
A jug with a handle. Since its inception, the FBI Art Crime Program has helped recover more than 20,000 items valued at over $900 million.
A jug with a handle. Since its inception, the FBI Art Crime Program has helped recover more than 20,000 items valued at over $900 million.
Pictured is a wooden object. The family who found the items in their late father's home checked the FBI's National Stolen Art File to determine that they were indeed looted from Japan. "They did what they should have done, which is call the FBI," Kelly said.
Pictured is a wooden object. The family who found the items in their late father's home checked the FBI's National Stolen Art File to determine that they were indeed looted from Japan. "They did what they should have done, which is call the FBI," Kelly said.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that were found in the attic of a WWII veteran who died in 2023. The FBI believes that three of them were originally one piece before they were divided.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that were found in the attic of a WWII veteran who died in 2023. The FBI believes that three of them were originally one piece before they were divided.
A gloved hand holds one of a few bowls that was among 22 plundered Japanese artifacts found in a deceased WWII veteran's Massachusetts home. The FBI transported the artifacts from Massachusetts to Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. before they were handed over in Okinawa last week.
A gloved hand holds one of a few bowls that was among 22 plundered Japanese artifacts found in a deceased WWII veteran's Massachusetts home. The FBI transported the artifacts from Massachusetts to Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. before they were handed over in Okinawa last week.
This sculpture was among 22 artifacts from Okinawa, Japan that had been lost to history for 80 years before they were discovered last year, tucked away in an attic of a private residence in Massachusetts.
This sculpture was among 22 artifacts from Okinawa, Japan that had been lost to history for 80 years before they were discovered last year, tucked away in an attic of a private residence in Massachusetts.
The FBI has returned 22 centuries-old artifacts to Okinawa, Japan, after a family discovered them in their late father’s attic in Massachusetts.
The FBI has returned 22 centuries-old artifacts to Okinawa, Japan, after a family discovered them in their late father’s attic in Massachusetts.
A hand drawn map of Okinawa dating back to the 19th century was among the artifacts looted following the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. A family from Massachusetts discovered them as they were going through their late father's personal items. The FBI helped orchestrate the return of the artifacts to the Government of Japan, Okinawa Prefecture.
A hand drawn map of Okinawa dating back to the 19th century was among the artifacts looted following the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. A family from Massachusetts discovered them as they were going through their late father's personal items. The FBI helped orchestrate the return of the artifacts to the Government of Japan, Okinawa Prefecture.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that were found in the attic of a late WWII veteran. The scrolls were listed in the National Stolen Art File, a repository for stolen art in the U.S. and abroad searchable by the public and law enforcement to help people identify stolen art and other antiquities.
Pictured is one of six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries that were found in the attic of a late WWII veteran. The scrolls were listed in the National Stolen Art File, a repository for stolen art in the U.S. and abroad searchable by the public and law enforcement to help people identify stolen art and other antiquities.
In total, the FBI recovered 22 artifacts: six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries, a hand-drawn map of Okinawa dating back to the 19th century and various pieces of pottery and ceramics. A typewritten letter was also found with the artifacts in Massachusetts that helped confirm they were looted during the last days of World War II.
In total, the FBI recovered 22 artifacts: six painted scrolls from the 18th-19th centuries, a hand-drawn map of Okinawa dating back to the 19th century and various pieces of pottery and ceramics. A typewritten letter was also found with the artifacts in Massachusetts that helped confirm they were looted during the last days of World War II.
A ceramic tea pot. "It's really important for us as stewards of artifacts and cultural patrimony to make every effort that we can to see that these go back to the civilizations and the cultures in the countries where they belong," Kelly said.
A ceramic tea pot. "It's really important for us as stewards of artifacts and cultural patrimony to make every effort that we can to see that these go back to the civilizations and the cultures in the countries where they belong," Kelly said.

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 elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Looted Japanese artifacts found in late WWII veteran's attic: Photos

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