In the course of this new job I learned Okinawa is not part of Japan in the way I thought. I was taught by the US school system that Okinawa was just another Japanese island. Nope!Okinawa was an independent kingdom overthrown by Japan in 1879. Culturally it's more Chinese than Japanese.
@rpardee Asia skimmed over A LOT in my history classes. I can tell you a ton about ancient Rome, but I learned more Chinese history from Cdramas in the 20-teens than any US school.