A model of the Ryukyu students' school in the ancient Imperial College is on display at the Imperial College in Beijing on October 10, 2012. The biggest of the Ryukyu Islands, which stretch for about ... more 

A model of the Ryukyu students' school in the ancient Imperial College is on display at the Imperial College in Beijing on October 10, 2012. The biggest of the Ryukyu Islands, which stretch for about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from Japan's mainland almost to Taiwan, Okinawa was the centre of the Ryukyuan kingdom, which pledged fealty to both Chinese emperors and Japanese feudal lords less