Ryukyu Islands Stamps
Ryukyu Islands Stamps represent a unique period in Japanese history. With the surrender of the Empire of Japan at the end of World War II, the Ryukyu Islands (or commonly known as Okinawa) were occupied and administered by the US government.
The US administration period lasted until 1972 when Okinawa was returned to Japan. During this time, the Okinawan postal system was independent from mainland Japan and featured its own Ryukyu stamps denominated in US currency and labeled with Ryukyu Yubin (Ryukyu Post).
Most of the following Okinawa stamps stem from this period and are a unique addition to anyone's Japanese stamp collection.
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1960 Okinawa Folk Dance
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November 1, 1960 Price (1 Cent Single Stamp): US$ 11.30 Free worldwide shipping Price (2.5 Cent Single Stamp): US$ 12.50 Free worldwide shipping Price (5 Cent Single Stamp): US$ 9.30 Free worldwide shipping Price (10 Cent Single Stamp): US$ 9.60 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1971 Philately Week
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April 15, 1971 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 8.70 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Stamps - 1970 Philately Week
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April 15, 1970 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 10.30 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1969 Philately Week
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April 17, 1969 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 8.70 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1967 Tuberculosis Prevention
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October 13, 1967 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 10.30 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1965 Philately Week
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July 1, 1965 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 10.50 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1964 Tokyo Olympics Torch Relay
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August 31, 1964 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 10.10 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1963 Junior Chamber International Okinawa Meeting
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September 16, 1963 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 9.10 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1959 All Ryukyu Afforestation
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April 30, 1959 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 7.70 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps -1957 7th Newspaper Week
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October 1, 1957 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 8.70 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - The 1958 10th Anniversary of Stamps Issuing
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July 1, 1958 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 9.00 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1972 New Years Stamp 'Nesumi'
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December 10, 1971 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 8.70 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1958 New Years Stamp 'Hou-ou'
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December 1, 1957 Price (Single Stamp): US$ 9.30 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1964 Ryukyu Girl Scouts
This Okinawa stamp commemorates girl scouting on the Ryukyu Islands. Girl scouting was first introduced to Japan in 1919 by a British missionary teacher.
During World War II, girl scouting was banned by the imperial government. Only after the end of the war, the scouting program was restarted in 1947 and officially recognized as Girl Scouts of Japan in 1949.
The scout program in Japan focuses on self-development, human relations, and nature. Activities include working with disabled, planting tress, and protecting the environment.
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Until Okinawa's reversion to Japan in May of 1972, the Ryukyu Girl Scouts were administered under the auspices of the Girl Scouts of the US. The stamp depicts the Ryukyu scout logo to the left and is denominated in US currency. This stamp was released in 1964. Price (Single Stamp): US$ 10.30 Free worldwide shipping |
Ryukyu Islands Stamps - 1960 Ryukyu University
The next Japanese stamp is dedicated to the University of the Ryukyus, also known in Japanese as Ryukyu Daigaku.
Ryukyu University is a national university located in the town of Nishihara in Okinawa Prefecture. It is the westernmost and largest public university in Japan.
The University was founded in May 1950 under the auspices of the then US Civil Administration of Okinawa during the post WWII US occupation period.
Upon Okinawa's return to Japan in 1972, Ryukyu University became a Japanese national university. Since the university had been located on the site of the historic Shuri Castle in Naha, it was now moved to its current location.
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The Okinawa stamp to the left commemorates the 10th anniversary of the founding of Ryukyu University in 1950. Again, it is interesting to note that this Ryukyu Islands stamp is denominated in US cents since it was issued during the US occupation of Okinawa. This Ryukyu Islands stamp was issued in 1960. Price (Single Stamp): US$ 10.80 Free worldwide shipping |
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