Artist re-creates Shuri Castle painting

Marina Nizoe speaks about Ryukyu art in Chatan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Oct. 17. At left is her reproduction of Zhang Sheng's "Birds and Flowers in Snow." "Enchushokazu" (Rise from fire) by Nizoe is seen on the right. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

NAHA -- A young artist has reproduced a classic Chinese painting lost in the massive fire that destroyed Shuri Castle in Naha three years ago.

A work in the traditional bird-and-flower genre, the original was a treasure of the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which existed from the 15th century to the 19th century.