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Crown of the Sho Royal Family
Ryukyu Kingdom (18th - 19th century) Gold, coral, crystal, jade, glass beads, silk |
Missing: Crown of the Sho Royal Family
In 2000, The Okinawan Prefectural Board of Education registered with the United States Government thirteen items of cultural significance including the Crown used by the King of the Ryukyuan Kingdom. These items are believed to have been taken during WWII. To date none of these items have been found. It has been over sixty years since these items have been missing from Okinawa. This is where ShisaLion.Org comes in. The George C. Oyasato Foundation, Inc. has decided to embark on another approach to increase awareness of these missing artifacts through the ShisaLion.org web project and encourage their return to the people of Okinawa.
It is believed these items are located within the United States. It is our goal to make it known from one person to another by encouraging discussions of this subject. Interest in Okinawan culture either through movies, military service, karate, dance, travel or politics has grown over the years. The fabric of both societies will forever be intertwined.
It is our sincere belief that the return of these items will close a painful chapter in the lives of both Americans and Okinawans alike. Today in Okinawa the scars of war are instantly recognizable. Memorials cover the island. On the southern tip of the island of Okinawa lies “The Peace Memorial Park” in Itoman City which lists the names of 238,183 people who died, including 100,000 civilians and 12,500 Americans in the bloodiest battles of WWII.
The probability of the discovery and return of these items does exist. In April of 2001, after fifty six years, six historical Ryukyuan maps were returned by a 66 year old Boston man. These items were seized from the estate of the Ryukyuan King by a military officer during WWII. The maps were approximately 200 to 230 years old and were returned to the Ryukyu American Historical Research Society in Okinawa. In a recent correspondence with Chairman Alex Kishaba the society based in Okinawa recently revised their mission to education.
Our best hope for the recovery of these items lies in the hands of veterans, their families, collectors, or museums. The return of these items will be through increased awareness and the help of citizens across the United States. Anonymity can be maintained for anyone in possession of these items. The gratitude of a nation awaits. |
