Ugui Royal Portraits not seen since Battle of Okinawa, Recovered and Returned

Four ugui royal portraits of the Ryukyu Kingdom, previously believed lost since the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, were recovered and returned to Okinawa in March 2024. This marks the first confirmed recovery of such royal treasures since 1953, representing a significant cultural and historical milestone for Okinawa. The portraits, along with sixteen other artifacts looted by American soldiers, hold deep emotional and heritage value for the Okinawan people, who suffered extensive loss during World War II. The essay details the repatriation process, the significance of these artifacts, and their role in preserving Okinawan identity and history.

Seifman, T. (2024). Ugui Royal Portraits not seen since Battle of Okinawa, Recovered and Returned. Asia-Pacific Journal, 22(10). https://doi.org/10.1017/s1557466024035186