Ryukyu Islands
The Ryukyus consist of three major groups extending southwestward
from Japan, Amami (N), Okinawa(center), Sakishima(S).
The larger islands are of volcanic origin.
Following WW2, the islands were administered by the United
States until their formal return to Japan in 1972
Illustrated below is a first day cover with cartoon volcanoes
on the stamp and a cancel with volcanoes depicted upon it.
Next is large scale image of the stamp
(Courtesy Lisa Heiman)
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