Rugby Memorabilia Society

For the first time since the 1999 Rugby World Cup which was hosted by Wales, there will be a mascot for the occasion. In 1999 it was Dewi the Dragon, this time in Japan 2019 there will be Ren G (the main tournament mascot). The Official Rugby World Cup website has this to say of Ren G.

Ren G
(Official Tournament Mascot of the 2019 RWC)

The story behind Ren-G
The shishi are sacred lion-like mythical creatures that are said to bring happiness and ward off evil They have been seen depicted in Japanese culture in a variety of forms since ancient times. Whether it be as a renjishii traditional Japanese theatre, Noh and Kabuki (the lion-like creatures often appear as a pair of father and son and perform a dance onstage), a shishimai (lion-like creature appearing in the lion dance) or a komainu (guardian lion statues often found at the entrance of shrines), the shishi has been known to take on different forms. Ren-G were born when this ancient spirit met the five values of rugby –integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline.

Friends
As they have been involved in the promotional activities for rugby, they have had the opportunity to meet and get to know the mascots of the host cities. They share a mutual goal of making the Rugby World Cup 2019 a success and a strong friendship have developed between Ren-G and the host city mascots.

2019 RWC Map showing the venues

Along with Ren G there will be mascots who will be unique to each host city.

Ezomon
Sapporo City (Capital of the Northern Japanese Island of Hokkaido)
Sapporo Dome Stadium

Kamarin and Sobacchi
Kamaishi City (Iwate Pref)
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium (currently being constructed)

Nyaozane and Kobaton
Saitama Prefecture
Kumagaya Athletic Stadium (Rugby Ground)

Yuriito
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Ajinomoto Stadium (will host the opening ceremony of the 2019 RWC and opening match)

Captain Wan and Kanagawa Kintaro
Yokohama City
Kanagawa Pref
International Stadium Yokohama

Try-Kun and Mozuyan
Osaka City
Hanazono Stadium

Habatan
Kobe City
Misaki Stadium

Ecoton
Fukuoka City
Hakatanomori Stadium

Higomaru and Kumamon
Kumamoto City
Kumamoto Stadium

Mejiron
Oita
Oita Stadium

Tosta
Aichi Pref
Toyota Stadium Mascot

Fujippi
Shizuoka
Shizuoka Stadium

Peter Douglas-Davies
08/03/2018