A famous kabuki dance called "Renjishi" (Father and son lions) entertained ambassadors to Japan and representatives from countries and regions taking part in the Rugby World Cup during a reception at the Tokyo National Museum's Gallery of Horyuji Treasures in Taito Ward, Tokyo, on Monday.
About 50 people were invited to the reception showcasing Japanese culture, hosted by Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Koichi Hagiuda.
"Having witnessed the great success of the Rugby World Cup, which now has only two more matches to go, I feel happy and forlorn at the same time. I hope that rugby will spread to the whole world," said Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the RWC 2019 organizing committee.
The lion dance was performed by kabuki actors Nakamura Matagoro and Nakamura Kasho. The performance was part of Nihonhaku (Japan Cultural Expo), a series of government-led celebrations of culture and the arts across the country held ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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