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Okinawa. Mysterious island or Bookologist flashpoint? Both. Several factors contribute to the unusual interest generated by this small island located south of Honshu, the main island of Japan. Invaded by Japanese samurai's in 1609, Okinawa never saw independence again. Under the repressive Japanese rule that followed, all weapons and previously existing fighting forms (such as variants of Kung-Fu) were banned, creating an atmosphere where secret societies flourished, deadly weapons such as Nunchuku's, Sai's and Bo's evolved from farm implements, and an altogether new and deadly fighting form developed - karate - which was destined to emerge as the most important martial arts discipline of the 20th century.
Besides being the birthplace of karate, Okinawa was invaded by allied forces in 1945 and subsequently occupied until 1952. Some military installations remain to this day. Translation? Lots of military interest concentrated here. In fact, the converging interests of martial arts, militaria and, by extension, Okinawan culture, add up to one thing: collectibility.
Pay special attention to military unit histories, early 20th century martial arts publications, and the following specific titles:
CRAFT TREASURES OF OKINAWA by Michiaki Kawakita
A GRAND REFERENCE ON OKINAWAN FOLK & OTHER ART CRAFTS by S. Hokama, Y. Tokugawa, H. Arakawa, Y. Kama-kura
FLORA OF OKINAWA AND THE SOUTHERN RYUKYU ISLANDS by Egbert H. Walker
A MAJOR BOTANICAL DICTIONARY FOR THE ISLAND CHAIN AREA(Smithsonian Institute)
OKINAWA: The History of an Island People by George H. Kerr
WITH THE OLD BREED AT PELELIU AND OKINAWA by E.B. Sledge
OKINAWA, HER BEAUTIES AND TRADITIONS by Shinzan Shuri
OKINAWA: VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC by Chas. S. Nichols and Henry I. Shaw
Several helpful links:
http://museum.mm.pref.okinawa.jp/web_e/history/story
http://www.virtualokinawa.com/about_okinawa
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