On the stage of the Japan Pavilion, 30 lucky visitors from the audience stepped up to pose for photos with Nara mascot Sentokun.

A theater troupe staged a drama depicting the story of Abe no Nakamaro (698–770), a member of a Japanese envoy to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907). The all-female theater troupe, OSK Nihon Kagekidan, presented the diplomat's trip from the then Japanese capital Nara to then Chinese capital Chang'an (now Xi'an) and his life as an active Japanese figure in Sino-Japanese ties.

Audiences responded to the drama with applause.

The Japanese founded their capital in Nara in 710 and the city became prosperous as Japan's first international capital.

Nara week will last through July 29. During the week, visitors can pose for photos with Nara mascot Sentokun, enjoy the Abe no Nakamaro drama and participate in a quiz for a chance to win a souvenir hat of Nara Week.

Source: expo2010.cn

Editor: Xu Xinlei