Ryukyu Kanhizakura Among Japan's many varieties of cherry blossom, Okinawa has one most distinctive types. One of Okinawa's native cherry blossom varieties is the Ryukyu Kanhizakura. These flowers have a bell-like shape and their petals are a darker shade of pink. The warmer winter in Okinawa brings the Kanhizakura to bloom in late January or February, and these trees thrive on mountainsides as opposed to the beachfronts. A brief history of Okinawa The Ryukyu Islands first appeared in the ancient Chinese history book entitled "Sui Shu” around 607. After almost one and a half decades of going through the Chinese tributary system, two dynasties, and the Satsuma invasion, Ryukyu Kingdom was demolished by Meiji Government in 1879, and Okinawa prefecture was born. Yet again, when the Pacific War ended in 1945, Okinawa was once again parted from Japan as the U.S. limitary remained under their governance for the following 27 years. On May 15, 1972, Okinawa was officially returned to Japan, marking a new milestone in both Okinawa and Japan's history. The origin of Ryukyu Tsuikin art Despite the complicated history, the culture and traditional crafts, especially lacquering, fortunately, have flourished, preserved, and continued until today. Old documents record that Okinawan lacquerware appeared as soon as 1427, with a purchase record from Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty. After the establishment of the First Ryukyu Dynasty (1429), the Kaizuri Bugyosho (a magistrate's office for lacquerware production) was founded. In Okinawa, where politics and culture are deeply connected, lacquerware and lacquer ornaments were indispensable for ceremonies and rituals, not only for royalties and warrior families but also for local communities. Especially, after the invasion by the Satsuma Domain, the need for lacquerware increased as they needed to tribute to both the Tokugawa shogunate and Chinese emperors. Therefore, the Ryukyu Kingdom put the Kaizuri Bugyosho under its direct control to strengthen lacquerware production. During this period - the highest peak of Ryukyu lacquer, Ryukyu governors even sent craftsmen to China several times and brought in various lacquering techniques. One of those craftsmen - Higa Josho has developed the Okinawan-own technique - Tsuikin. How Tsuikin art was made “Tsuikin" involves many processes and requires a high level of skill. First, pigments are kneaded into lacquer to make "Tsuikin-mochi," which is shaped like a rice cake. Next, the Tsuikin-mochi is rolled out thinly on a board using a roller to cut out a pattern to be pasted on a vessel. In addition, fine lines are chiseled on the pasted pattern, which is then colored last. Highly adhesive, the finish can last for a long time. Specifications Material & art: Ebonite, Red Urushi, Tsuikin Urushi Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard) Nib: #6 Jowo stainless steel, Wancher 18K gold, Shogun 18K Feed: Plastic, ebonite black, ebonite red Compact air-tight cap: Prevent dried-out ink problem Size & Shape Packaging Traditional Japanese Wooden Box + Pen Kimono + Instructional Materials + Certificate + Converter + Cartridge Note: - The Tsuikin art does not require any polishing steps. Therefore, sometimes it might leave the surface with a few uneven dots. *Please do not mistake these as defects.* - The hand-making process makes every single pen a unique one, there is no pen exactly resembling one another. The one you will receive might be slightly different from the one here in the pictures, yet this characteristic makes each pen a unique work of art, with no two pieces exactly the same.