For about 400 hundred years, Ruuchuukuku i.e., the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879) thrived as a key player in the maritime trade with Southeast and East Asia. At 600, Awamori is even older. Hailing from an ancient knowledge transfer made possible by close contacts between China, India, Thailand, and Japan in the 15th century by which alcohol stills first came to be introduced in Okinawa.