O!kawa!

Okinawa's history of foreign trade

Okinawa is the unique southernmost monument of Japan, a prefecture that is an isolated island belonging to a subtropical area. It's a place overflowing with unique history and culture different from any other area of Japan. People from throughout Japan who have been bewitched by this unique region are gathered here.

Okinawa is a land with a long history of prosperous foreign trade.

With the advantage of being located midway between East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the mainland of Japan, from the distant past Okinawa prospered in trade not as Japan, but as the Ryukyu Dynasty.

12th Century Okinawa.

In this era cultural exchange prospered with visitors from mainland Japan and the Chinese continent. There was trade not only with China but also with Southeast Asia, and the importance of Okinawa as a relay point in the center of Asian trade increased.

From the 15th century to the first half of the 16th century, vigorous maritime policies were carried out in Okinawa. With China's Fujian (Fukushu) province at the base, imperial tribute and tributary trade occurred, and trade prospered between the three lands bound together as China and Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Japan, and China and Japan. Additionally, a number of Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia of the Malay Peninsula, the Patani Kingdom, and the Thai Ayuthaya Dynasty, carried out roles bound together with China and Japan as lively trade and diplomacy expanded.

Afterward, Okinawa officially became a part of Japan.

The History of Okawa

We, the Okawa Corporation, established here in Okinawa in 1961, have played a part in joining Okinawan living spaces with living spaces from the Japanese mainland and all over the world.

At present, we are contributing to improvement in Okinawan living spaces and expanding our three stores -- large scale interior furniture integrated with high design characteristic goods at "maxplus," high quality interior goods at our outlet "Furniture to go O!K," and a blend of modern, Japanese, Chinese and classic interiors offered at "Como Concept."

Additionally, next summer, upgrading from the three above mentioned businesses, we are opening an interior shopping mall with a shopping area of 15,000 square meters.

We, the Okawa Corporation, improving Okinawa's living spaces, plan to offer all of Japan the somewhat special Okinawan way of living in the future.

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