In a remarkable discovery, a collection of 22 stolen Japanese antiques, including hand-drawn maps, ceramics, and portraits of Okinawan kings, were found tucked away in the attic of a Massachusetts home. The items, some dating back to the 1700s, were uncovered by the children of a World War II veteran who were sorting through his belongings after his passing, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Upon finding the artifacts, the family promptly alerted the authorities, who later confirmed their stolen status. On Friday, the FBI announced that the valuable pieces have been successfully repatriated to Japan. The family wished to remain anonymous, as per the FBI.

The returned artifacts consist of six portraits, a hand-drawn map of Okinawa, and several ceramic pieces, most of which originate from the 18th and 19th centuries. The significance of these recovered items cannot be overstated, as they represent a crucial part of the local culture and history. "This is what makes a culture. And without it, you're taking away their history," emphasized Geoffrey Kelly, a Boston-based FBI special agent involved in the case.

A formal repatriation ceremony for the artifacts is planned in Japan, underscoring the importance of their return. Denny Tamaki, the governor of Okinawa Prefecture, expressed gratitude for the cooperative efforts of the FBI and other U.S. government entities, highlighting the meaningfulness of bringing these treasures back home.

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. played a role in ensuring the appropriate packaging and safe transportation of the items to Japan, further affirming the commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

The unexpected discovery of the stolen pieces took the family by surprise, particularly since their late father had never served in the Pacific Theater. Intrigued, they conducted research only to find that some of the items had been reported stolen nearly 20 years ago and were listed in the FBI's National Stolen Art File.

The missing artifacts are believed to have been taken during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, amid the chaos and confusion of World War II. The Ryukyu Kingdom, which reigned in Okinawa from 1429 to 1879, suffered significant losses during this time. In 2001, officials from Japan registered the stolen items with the U.S. National Stolen Art File, seeking their recovery.

Though the returned collection represents a significant step towards rectifying the loss of Okinawan cultural heritage, several antiques, including portraits and a royal crown, are still missing, according to the National Stolen Art File.

Over the years, the FBI Art Crime Program has successfully recovered more than 20,000 stolen items since its inception in 2004. The efforts to safeguard cultural artifacts and return them to their rightful owners continue to be of utmost importance.

The repatriation of these stolen Japanese antiques signifies not only a triumph of justice but also a restoration of history and culture. As Geoffrey Kelly aptly stated, "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."