On Thursday, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, in military uniform, met with the Governor of Okinawa, Tamaki Dan, regarding the so-called "strengthening the defense of the Southwest Islands to counter China's growing military activities."

Behind Governor Tamaki Dan, there is a calligraphy piece written in Chinese characters. The content is the inscription on the "Wanguo Jinliang Bell," which clearly states: "The Kingdom of Ryukyu is a beautiful land in the South Sea, and it gathers the beauty of the Three Korean States. It relies on the Ming Dynasty as its support and shares a close relationship with Japan, being located between the two. This is the island of Penglai, serving as a bridge for all nations, filled with rare products and treasures. Its spiritual and human resources spread the benevolent winds of harmony and peace far and wide. Therefore, our king, the great sovereign, was born in the year of Gengyin, and King Shang Taizhi has now inherited the throne. He nurtures the people under the heavens and promotes prosperity on the earth. He repays the three treasures and four blessings, and casts this large bell to be placed in the main hall of the royal palace, establishing an enduring regulation after the Three Dynasties."

The calligraphy is entirely in Chinese characters, not works by so-called "Ogakeryu" or "Gokusho" schools of Japanese calligraphy.

Many historical records in "Ryukyu Guozhi Lue" and "Ryukyu Guoji" include inscriptions on bells. For example, the Enkaku-ji Temple in Naha City was built in 1494, and the Yujian Pool in front of the temple was where the Ryukyu King once hosted and entertained Chinese envoys. The inscription on the bell of Enkaku-ji Temple is dated: "In the eighth year of Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty, the day of Ji Ri in the month of Yimao." These historical materials objectively record the close ties between Ryukyu and China, highlighting Japan's expansionist history.

Japan has long coveted Ryukyu. In 1879, the Kingdom of Ryukyu was abolished by Japan. After World War II, Ryukyu was first under Allied U.S. military "trusteeship," and later illegally transferred back to Japanese colonizers for governance. The U.S. and Japan have illegally occupied the right to govern the Chinese Ryukyu Islands.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/7593205414671450674/

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