Photograph of lion dance performers in Sayama, Japan

This photograph shows performers in a lion dance at a Buddhist temple in Sayama, Japan. The photo was taken during the 2009 mayoral delegation to Worthington’s sister city of Sayama. The lion dance, or shishi-mai, is an important dance in Japanese Buddhist tradition and is popular at New Year’s festivals.

Worthington and Sayama have been sister cities since 1999, and through the years have exchanged dozens of delegations, including groups of city officials, residents and school groups. The 2009 mayoral delegation celebrated ten years of the sister-city relationship. During exchanges between the two cities, delegations typically tour a variety of destinations including city offices, schools, libraries, businesses and more.