Hunting the Hidden Vault of Yamashita’s Treasure- Part 1

In the mysterious jungles of the Philippines, an extraordinary legend has captured the imaginations of treasure hunters and historians alike: Yamashita's Treasure. As World War II drew to a close, the retreating Japanese forces, led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita, allegedly buried a vast hoard of looted gold, diamonds, and priceless artifacts. Join me, Jane, your host of the Lil Weird Podcast, as I unravel the enigma of this hidden treasure. Is it real or just an elaborate wartime myth? Tune in to explore the secrets, sift through the evidence, and hear the thrilling tales of those who have dedicated their lives to uncovering Yamashita's Treasure.

Show Notes:

In this episode, we dive into the captivating legend of Yamashita's Treasure, a rumored hoard of gold and artifacts hidden by Japanese forces during World War II. We provide context on the dramatic Japanese retreat from the Philippines and why they chose to hide their loot. Uncover the secretive and meticulous plundering operation led by Japan's imperial princes, masterminded by Prince Chichibu. Learn about the construction of 175 treasure vaults across the Philippines, featuring ingenious engineering and deadly security measures. Explore the fascinating treasure vault locations like San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, and Santo Tomas University.

Key Takeaways:

• Yamashita's Treasure: A legendary stash of looted gold and artifacts hidden by the Japanese during World War II.
• Golden Lily Operation: Masterminded by Prince Chichibu, marked by meticulous planning and brutal secrecy.
• Intriguing Locations: Treasure vaults hidden in iconic places like San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral.
• Blend of Intrigue: Secret maps, booby-trapped caves, and mysterious disappearances.
• Enduring Fascination: The quest for Yamashita's Treasure continues to captivate treasure hunters and historians worldwide.

Additional Resources:

For those interested in delving deeper, check out these must-read books, intriguing historical accounts, and documentaries on Yamashita's Treasure. Explore exclusive interviews with seasoned treasure hunters and historians.
Gold Warriors :How America Secretly Recovered Yamashita’s Gold 
By Sterling & Peggy Seagrave 

Don't miss an episode—subscribe to the Lil Weird Podcast for more deep dives into bizarre and fascinating tales. Share your thoughts and wildest theories about Yamashita's Treasure on social media using LilWeirdPodcast. Find us on Instagram for more fascinating content. Leave a review on your podcast listening platform to let us know what you think!

Disclaimer:

The stories shared in this episode are based on historical events, research, and interpretations. While we strive for accuracy, interpretations of these events may vary. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of my podcast team. Listener discretion is advised.

Tune in for Part 2!
Curious about what happens next? In Part 2, I'll introduce you to Ben Valmores, a young Filipino valet whose life took an extraordinary turn when he crossed paths with a Japanese prince. We'll dive into his captivating story, exploring friendships forged in the chaos of war and the relentless quest for hidden gold. Get ready for more twists and turns in this thrilling treasure hunt! Don't miss out—tune in for the next episode of the Lil Weird Podcast.

Credits:
Song: Punch Deck - 808 Lotus
License: Creative Commons (CC BY 3.0) 


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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
It's the final days of World Wartwo. Japanese forces led by General Tomoyukiyamashita
are retreating from the Philippines. Butthey're not leaving empty handed. According to
the legend, they carry with thema vast horde of looted gold, diamonds,
and priceless artifacts is stolen from acrossSoutheast Asia. Unable to transport this

(00:22):
immense wealth back to Japan, theyallegedly burided tape within the Philippine jungles,
intending to retrieve it later. Overthe decades, this is story has captivated
treasure hunters and historians alike. Theyalso secret mops, booby trap caves,
and mysterious disappearances abound. But amidstall the excitement and the feverish digging,

(00:44):
one question remains. Is the Yamashitatreasuril or is it just an elaborate meat
that has grown out of the fogof war and time China's In this episode,
as we explore the intriguing saga ofthe Yamashita Treasure, see through the
evidence, uncover the facts, anddelve into the stories of those who have
dedicated their lives to finding it.Could this legendary treasure truly be hidden beneath

(01:10):
our very feet? Or is itmerely a fantastical story spanned from the desperation
and chaos of war. Welcome tothe Little Word Podcast, where we delve
into these changes most mysterious tales thatthe world has to offer. I am
your host, Jane, and todaywe're diving into one of the most antalizing
legends in Philippine history, the YamashitaTreasure. Get ready, dear listeners,

(01:33):
because in this episode, we're divingdeep into the innim will uncover clues released
the tales of daring treasure hunters andquestion everything we think you know. Are
you ready to join us in thistreasure hunt as unravel the mystery together.
As World War two drew to aclose in the Philippines, generally Yamashita Tomuyuki
must engaged in a fierce struggle inthe rugged mountains of Luzon. Meanwhile,

(01:59):
in the shadows, some of theJapan's highest ranking imperial princes were orchestrating a
different kind of operation. They wereconceiving tons of looted gold, bullion,
and other stolen treasures in nearby cavesand tunnels, treasures a mass from the
twelve Asian countries over thousands of years, with meticulous precision teams accompanying Japan's armed

(02:21):
forces had discoured treasuries, banks,factories, private homes, pawn sh ups,
and art galleries, stripping everything ofvalue. Even ordinary people were inspired.
Japan's tap cansters also contributed by plunderingissues underworld and black market. Their
thoroughness was unmatched, far exceeding thatof the Nazis. It was as if

(02:42):
a giant vacuum cleaner had swept acrossEast and Southeast Asia, sucking up everything
of earth. While some of thisplunder made it to Japan overland through Korea,
much of it transported by sea washalted in the Philippines by a US
submarine blackade. By early nineteen fortythree, estashing the treasury and the Philippines
became vital. Japan's strategy was clear. Even if they lost the arm militarily,

(03:06):
they would not lose financially. Theybelieve that regardless of the war's outcome,
they would retain control of the Philippines. Under the supervision of the Princess,
one hundred and seventy five secret treasurevaults were constructed throughout the Islands Engine
nineteen forty five. With US tanksclosing in on Bombank, the one hundred
seventy five chief engineers of these vaultsattended the Federal party two hundred and twenty

(03:30):
feet underground in a place known asTunnel eight. This governance space was filled
to the brim with gold bars.As the night went on, the engineers
drunk sake, sang patriotic songs,and shouted Panzai or long life repeatedly.
At midnight, generally a Mashita andthe Princess quietly left, and dynamite charges

(03:51):
supertetonated in the access tannels, sealingthe engineers inside. They were in toomb
alive. Those who didn't perform ritosuicide would eventually suffokate, surrounded by gold
ensuring the treasure's secrecy. In thefollowing days, the princess escaped to Japan
by submarine. Three months later,General Yamashita surrendered to American troops, leaving

(04:13):
behind one of the history's greatest mysteries. Contrary to popular belief, the Suko
Yamashita Treasure was neither owned or orchestratedby General Yamashita. The legend often attributes
the massive collection of looted gold andtreasures, but in reality, General Yamashita
was a military commander focused on thewar effort in the Philippines. The true
mastermind behind the systematic blundering was PrinceChichibu. Emperor Hirohita's brother. Prince Chichibu

(04:39):
headed the clandestine operation known as Kinnayurior Golden Lili, named after one of
the Emperor's poems. Golden Lili wasan extensive and highly organized operation involving numerous
imperial princes who managed different branches acrossthe occupied territories. These princes oversaw the
meticulous looting of treasuries, banks,factories, private homes, punch shops,

(05:02):
and art galleries. The operation extendedits reach to the underreil a Japan's top
gangsters looting Asia's black market. ByMay nineteen forty two, documulated plunder was
being stackpiled at Pier fifteen in Manila. Manila served as the central hub where
treasures from Southeast Asia were brought togetherfor final sorting and inventory before being ship

(05:25):
to Japan. The choice of Manilawas a strategy, as the Japanese did
not control a ground route from SoutheastAsia through China until late nineteen forty,
making seaport the only viable option.The Philippines natural geology, with its numerous
coverings, provided perfect hiding places forthe treasure. Additionally, Manila's extensive tunnel
system, originally dug by prisoners duringSpanish colonial rule and later expanded by the

(05:49):
US Army, offered secure and concealedstorage locations. Some tunnels even connected to
churches, cathedrals, and monasteries withcatacombs, or to Spanish forts with complex
tangents. Thus, while Generaling Yamashita'sname became famously associated with the treasure,
he was not the architect behind itscollection or consumer. Instead, it was

(06:11):
Prince Jijibu and the Golden Lilly operationthat orchestraated this vast accumulation of wealth,
leaving behind one of the histories mostenduring and enigmatic legends. Before delving into
the final moments of World War Twoand the frantic efforts to hide the treasure,
let's take a step back to understandhow Manila's strategic locations came to be.
In fifteen seventy one, the Spaniardsrelocated their headquarters from Cebu to Manila,

(06:36):
taking over the fortress of the localMuslim ruler that was Sulima. They
renamed it Fort Santiago and surrounded itwith massive walls, creating a fortified area
known as Intramuros, which included cathedralsand government buildings. Over centuries, this
network of tunnels and fortifications expanded,with the Americans theater adding their own enhancements.

(06:59):
This is story structures and hidden passages, originally built for colonial and defensive
purposes, would centuries later become theperfect hiding places for Japan's looted treasures.
In Tramuros, meaning within the walls, was soon adorned with two grand cathedrals
and numerous government buildings. Situated onthe south bank of the Passi River strairie

(07:19):
where the river meets Manila Bay,the Spaniards transform Intramuros into a man made
island by digging a wide moat aroundits walls. Over time, the water
receded and the moat evolved into apark. Within the forty five walls,
Spanish soldiers, traders, and priestslive alongside their Filipino servants. This extensive

(07:40):
underground network provided Prince Chichibu with anideal hiding place for the warld The campaign
tai who were the military police ofthe Imperial Japanese Army. The organization also
shared civilian secret police, espionage andcounterintelligence rows within Japan and its occupied territories,
and was notorious for its brutality androle in suppressing descent. Had established

(08:03):
their headquarters at Fort Santiago, makingsecurity in Intramuros exceptionally tight. This security
allowed for easy modification of the existingtunnels or the creation of side tunnels which
could be sealed and cleverly camouflage toconceal the treasure. Rince Chichibu faced a
significant challenge how to discreetely transport thetreasure from bayfront warehouses to Intramuros without arousing

(08:28):
suspicion. Using convoys of army truckswould undoubtedly attract local curiosity. The solution
was to dig a new tunnel directlyfrom Peer fifteen to Fort santiac connecting into
the existing Spanish era tunnels under Intramuros. The excavation work began in early May
nineteen forty two, with large quantitiesof rock and soil being dumped into Manila

(08:50):
Bay as landfill in the Ermita districtjust south of Per fifteen Throughout the summer
of nineteen forty two, as thetunnel project progress, Prince Chichibu and other
men of the royal family explored potentialsites for treasure vaults around Manila. They
focused their attention on iconic locations suchas Manila Cathedral, Senegostin Church, Fort

(09:11):
Santiago, Fort McKinley, and SantaTomas University. Their goal was established in
visible treasure volts at these historic sitesby connecting them discreetly to the main tunnel
through branch shafts. Chichibus engineers meticulouslycrafted a large scale map of Manila,
marking each potential site along with theroute of the main tunnel. The map
also indicated where smaller access tunnels wouldbe needed to reach each future volt.

(09:35):
One of the primary considerations was toprevent accidental discovery of the volts, either
by direct hits from artillery or aerialbumps, or by future construction on the
same sites, ent sure the treasurevolts remain hidden. Each one was constructed
about ninety fifty. Another strategy involvedplacing the vaults in locations protected under the

(09:56):
Geneva Convention, which prohibited bombing hospitals, schools, prisoner of war camps,
churches, and historic monuments. Theyalso chose locations under historic monuments and near
existing water supplies to avoid future construction. Some locations were chosen for symbolic reasons,
like those near large Ahreesia trees.Creatia wood, tied to the ark
of the Covenant in the Bible,was known for its resilience, with deep

(10:20):
roots that withstand drought and typhoons.This made them ideal markers for their volts
inside ind Trommuros, the decision wasmade established several treasure vaults at San Augustine
Church and the adjoining monastery. Whenthe princes visited the monastery in nineteen forty
two, they found it filled withreligious relics, stages of saints, and
arny priestly investments. Prince Jijibu's planfor San Agustine quickly took shape. The

(10:45):
stone fountain in the church's cloister waslocated just four hundred meters from the Santa
Lucia Gate, where the main GoldenLily tunnel begun. Golden Lily employed Shapan
his ceramic experts who could produce concreteof extraordinary hearts. These experts crafted cement
plugs that perfectly resembled normal sections oftunnel wall. By tinting the composite with

(11:07):
pigments of local soil, the enchancesblendid seemlessly with their surroundings, making the
branch tunnels spiritually undetectable. The RecipiDoor, or the receiver in the monastery
next to San Agustine, was turnedinto a treasury ball. Originally, the
Spaniards built this large room with amassive stone arch to support the ceiling.
Chichibu found similar stones behind the churchand used them to fill in the arch,

(11:28):
eating a solid wall and a hiddenroom about twenty by fifty feet in
size. The Recipi Door was aprivate space known only to those living in
the monastery. To prevent anyone fromnoticing the changes, the campaign Tye killed
all the priests and workers familiar withthe room. They also destroyed related documents
and records, killing the archivists toensure no one would discover the secret.

(11:52):
Later, when American forces retook Manila, they found forty five bodies of priests
and workers in shallow graves in themonastery basement. Was killed with bayonets.
In a moment of dark humor,Chichibu pointed out an oil painting in the
cloister Saint Augustine blessing a Native,where the Saint's hands seemed to gesture towards
the new vault. Chichibu ordered anextra finger to be painted on the saint's

(12:15):
hand, pointing directly at the hiddenentrance, which led to this location being
nicknamed the Six Fingerside. The Princessnext turned to their focus to Manila Cathedral,
choosing two strategic spots for treasure vaults. One volt was placed under a
large acacia tree in front of thecathedral and another beneath the altar, assuming
these location should remain undisturbed. Accessto these volts were provided by a branch

(12:37):
tunnel extending from the stone fountain atSan Agustine Church. At Santa Thomas University
on Rizal Avenue, they identified thespacious basement room and converted one end into
a hidden treasure chamber. This buildingwas particularly secure because it housed an interminent
camp for American civilians, including womenand children, and was protected by the

(12:58):
Red Cross, making it off limitsto bombing. The Princess also inspected Fort
Santiago, where the CAMPAIGNAI had theirheadquarters, allowing them to recovered They selected
several hiding places, including one underthe large fountain in the fort's front park,
which could be reached through a tunnelfrom the Acacia tree volt at Manilika
Tid. Another vault was hidden beneathan Akasha tree in the Spanish officer's courtyard,

(13:22):
near a monument to the poet andnationalist hero Hoseriza. This voulte was
later discovered in nineteen eighty five bya military unit loyal to Emelda Marcos.
An additional spar tunnel led to athird vote beneath the bastia on the Sant
Miquel. Prince Chichibu and his teamspent weeks creating detailed blueprints called the Blue
Series for building the treasure vaults.Later, Japanese cartographers made coded recovery maps

(13:48):
named as the Red Series. Thesemaps were designed to help future Japanese teams
find the hidden treasure, showing crucialdetails like TEBs and locations to avoid traps.
The Red Series maps were drawn ina Japanese style, like chalkboard sketches,
showing mountains, rivers, trees,and roads. Each mop displayed a
coded value of the treasure, suchas one hundred eleven billion yen seven seven

(14:13):
billion yen or eight eight eight billion, and not the actual value. You
need a key to the code thesefigures, like removing six zeros. The
mops also included notes written in variousscripts, including Khana or syllabic alphabet and
kanji Chinese ideograms, as well assome English inscriptions by Japanese engineers trained abroad.
Specific keys on the maps, suchas the direction of a flag or

(14:37):
the position of a clock face,indicated how the MOB should be read and
provided critical information about the site.A fulcrum pointless marked the show where measurements
should begin. Without these maps,the treasure would be nearly impossible to locate.
The creation of these vaults came ata high human costs. Allied bows
or prisoners of war and slave laborersfrom Korea and China were forced to dig

(15:01):
the tunnels and volts under brutal conditions. To ensure secrecy, The workers were
buried alive inside the vaults. Oncethe treasure was secured, Shinto priests performed
brittles at each side, ostensibly tobless the dead, but primarily to ensure
the spirits would guard the treasure.By August nineteen forty two, After six
months in Manila, Chichibu moved toSingapore due to his worstening to burculosis.

(15:24):
During his stay in Manila, livingGeneral MacArthur's penthouse at Manila Hotel, which
still contained many of MacArthur's personal belongings. The penthouse provided a view of Pier
fifteen and stunning sunsets over Batan,but Chichibu's health forced him to seek a
more suitable climate. The Pansimen's plunderrequired more than just the treasure vaults in

(15:45):
Manila and the tunnels at Currihidor.Additional vaults were constructed across the archipelago,
including Mindanao, Mindoro, and otherislands in the mountains north of Manila.
Another Imperial prince was busy expanding naturalConference to create the largest treasure votes of
the war outside Japan. But howmuch of this is true? Do you
have any evidence for it? Dueto the highest secrecy of this operation,

(16:07):
finding concrete evidence is unlikely, especiallyfor the public. But what if there
was a credible and verified leaving eyewitnessto all of this? Fortunately there is.
Let's take a captivating journey into theheart of the story and meet Ben
Valmares, a young Filipino Valley withan extraordinary tale to tell. He found
himself in the company of an exceptionalJapanese screens, offering us a rare and

(16:33):
fascinating viewpoint into this intriguing accounts.But who was this young Filipino valley and
how did he come to be entangledin the web of imperial secrets and hidden
treasures? Part two will deal deeperinto Ben Balmora's life. Will explore the
friendships and promises forged in the heatof war, the relentless pursuit of hidden
wealth, and the enduring impact ofthese dark historical chapters. Join us as

(16:56):
to continue this captivating journey re readingthem told stories and the shadowy figures behind
the legend of Amashita's Treasure. Don'tmiss the next episode, where the story
takes an even more infelian Stay tunedfor the Part two of Hunting the Hidden
Bolt of Yamashita's Treasure. If youhave enjoyed this episode, don't forget to
subscribe, rate and leave a reviewon your favorite podcast platform. Tell us

(17:21):
on social media for updates and moreintriguing contempt. Thank you for listening to
Little Weird Podcasts.