Organisers for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan have unveiled the three match ticket designs for the competition during a launch event in Tokyo.
The artwork features aspects of traditional Japanese art form of Musha-e, or Warrior Art, along with themes of the international rugby tournament.
The Musha-e art form captures famous Japanese warriors in battle, either portrayed in historical battle scenes or in a more folkloric style, fighting against mystical beings and demons.
Japan Rugby World Cup 2019 organising committee chief executive Akira Shimazu said: “These ticket designs are incredibly symbolic for Japanese people and something our international fans are sure to love. They capture perfectly the way in which rugby is viewed here in Japan. The noble warrior, fighting with every inch of their body, mind and spirit is a fitting comparison to the modern, elite rugby player.
“These tickets, along with the specially designed ticket wallet will make for a fine memento for visitors to Rugby World Cup 2019 to treasure for years to come. The sense of excitement fans will feel upon receiving their tickets will only build as we count down the final days until kick-off of this ground-breaking, once-in-a-lifetime Rugby World Cup in Japan.”
The accompanying ticket wallet incorporates the Rugby World Cup 2019 logo, traditional Japanese cloud motifs and a list of the eight previous winners of Rugby World Cup.
The central image within the folder is a reproduction of the famous ‘Irises at Yatsuhashi’ by the famous Japanese artist Ogata Kōrin, which was painted around 1700 on a traditional folding screen, a style of decorative artwork highly prized in Japan to this day.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Rugby World Cup 2019 is set to be a very special celebration of rugby and Japanese culture. These striking ticket designs do not just symbolise unison of the sport and the host nation, they also symbolise excitement as the receipt of tickets is an incredibly special moment for fans as they build up to Rugby World Cup.”
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