The Snapshots in Time Collection

Traditional Okinawan Turtleback Tomb (Kamekobaka) on Hillside, Okinawa, 1945

Traditional Okinawan Turtleback Tomb (Kamekobaka) on Hillside, Okinawa, 1945

This traditional Okinawan 'turtleback' family tomb, with its distinctive curved roofline, was a common feature of the island's landscape and, during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, often became an improvised strongpoint or shelter for combatants due to its thick, durable construction — a striking example of how the island's cultural landmarks were drawn into the war. Project: 218478