Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a banquet at a Tokyo hotel on Wednesday for foreign guests who attended Emperor Naruhito's "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi" enthronement proclamation ceremony the previous day, entertaining them with traditional performing arts.

The banquet featured kyogen actor Nomura Mansai, kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo and "bunraku" puppet play performer Yoshida Tamao.

"Our country is resolved to cooperate with the international community in the era of Reiwa and contribute to world peace and prosperity, the development of science, technology and culture and the promotion of mutual understanding," Abe said in a speech.

The new Japanese era of Reiwa started in May, in line with the new Emperor's accession to the throne.

Nomura, Ichikawa and Yoshida performed the "Sanbaso" program, in which they danced while praying for huge harvests, showcasing Japanese traditional performing arts that originated in different eras.

In addition, noh performer Kanze Kiyokazu and his son, Saburota, performed the "Shakkyo" dynamic lion dance program.

Guests were served Japanese dishes featuring matsutake mushroom and other ingredients. They toasted with "hiroki," a sake brand produced in Fukushima Prefecture. Halal and vegan dishes were also available.

Jiji Press