The Ryukyu Islands are a chain of islands in the western Pacific Ocean, just off the east coast of Japan. The Ryukyu Kingdom was formally annexed by the Empire of Japan in 1872. During World War II, following the Battle of Okinawa, the islands came under the occupation of the United States military in 1945, and a civilian government was set up under American control in 1952. The islands reverted to the control of Japan in 1972.

The first definitive stamps of the Ryukyu Islands were issued on July 1st, 1948, and the final Ryukyu Island stamp was issued on April 20th, 1972.

This Ryukyu Islands stamp in my collection is from 1967. It depicts the Hojo Bridge at the Enkaku Temple.

Collecting stamps can be very rewarding, due to the history behind some of the stamps.