TOKYO—The Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular finished the first of three shows in Tokyo, Japan Tuesday evening, kicking off its Asia tour. The show was attended by some officials and dignitaries.
'I feel the stage is beautiful and the costumes are colorful and bright. I like all the programs especially the Erhu and the Tang Drum," said Tokyo MP Yoshida Kouyichirou who attended Tuesday's show. "I came last year as well."
Kouyichirou felt the most touching piece was 'Power of Awareness," a dance which depicts people stepping forward to protect a mother and child who are being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime for practicing Falun Gong.
"That scene has left a deep impression in my mind and touched my heart. I really hope the people in China will act like that and sympathize with and protect those who are vulnerable and will cherish life."
Congressman Ichimura Koyichirou, who also attended Tuesday's show, was equally impressed.
"Truly wonderful," he said. "The dances and backdrop designs melt together and are extremely beautiful. It is very touching. I can feel the energy emanated by these overseas Chinese performers. I hope Divine Performing Arts will be spread even farther and wider in the world."
During the intermission, Mr. Onotera, an honorary professor at Sichuan University, spoke about how the Spectacular was a true portrayal of Chinese culture.
"'Tang Court Drummers' is full of the charm of Chinese classical dance. Every performance is stunning and fantastic. It makes you feel like you are immersed in a blanket of magnificence. It is very obvious that the show has inherited and captured the character of the Chinese culture," he said.
"In the past, I had studied the arts of the Great Tang Dynasty, including its classic music, so from my perspective it's very obvious the show has captured the essence of the culture of the Great Tang Dynasty in an extremely constructive fashion."
Representative from the Croatia Tourist Bureau in Japan, Edouard Tripkovic Katayama, saw the Spectacular for his first time.
"Excellent, I feel like I have made a small trip to China, and become much closer to China. It taught me a lot of traditional culture," said Katayama.
"Things from a traditional perspective are more attractive to me. I can understand the performances very easily from the introductions by the hosts. If the society can become like this [show], it will be a very good thing."
Katayama said he hopes the Chinese Spectacular will tour Croatia in the future.
"My father is a westerner. I really hope Divine Performing Arts can come to Croatia. China is a country with a very long history of culture. These music and dances are very rich and diverse.
"I'll for sure introduce it to my father's friends when I have the opportunity. I want to thank the Divine Performing Arts again for providing me the chance to go through such a magical experience."
Professor Murata Mitsuhe from Toukai University was previously the Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland, France and Senegal, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He praised the show as having a very high degree of technical mastery.
Mitsuhe also enjoyed the Tang Drum performance, and he said he feels the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China will not last long.
The Spectacular will travel next to Nagoya and Osaka before continuing on to Taiwan later in the month.
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts company. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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