I can't understand why the stupid matter of Ebizou Ichikawa has been reported largely and lingeringly. Mr.Ichikawa is a prince of KABUKI, but I think that he is only a rude young man.
KABUKI is a traditional entertainment in Japan, but now KABUKI is not so popular. I don't know about KABUKI. Maybe only old people like KABUKI, and only people who live in big cities can enjoy KABUKI.
They have hard training of KABUKI since their childhood, and so they tend to be “green”. When Ebizou fought, he said,“I will be a living national treasure in the future.”
How stupid he is! He is both a victim and an assailant. He should be punished. Anyway Japanese are very easygoing, and Japan is a peaceful country.
KABUKI will be a living fossil in the future, but Japanese should progress to the better society. We have no time to keep company with this stupid young man.
For the first point: Has anything been reported as to what initiated the altercation? Ichikawa's quoted as saying the attack was "unprovoked," but I have the impression that alcohol may have been involved. If it's true that he had done nothing to provoke the attack, I'd feel a bit sorrier for him--still, I have the feeling that he must've shot his mouth off at the wrong person. Even if that's the case, I don't necessarily think he deserved getting as injured as he did. Nevertheless, I don't think of Ichikawa as somehow "dishonoring" the kabuki tradition in any way, as I tend to separate my opinion of an individual and the profession they are in.
Japanese are easygoing? Hmm. Japanese tend to adore scandals, and while certain people realize when things get out of hand, these sorts of stories are exactly what people have a scopophiliatic fascination/obsession for.
Y'know, one thing I hope from this incident is what you've touched on: I hope that more people take an interest in kabuki because of the media frenzy. Seriously, Japan has some amazing art forms that go unrecognized by its youth. Where is Japanese culture heading...
Well I would say that if he started the fight, then he should be punished accordingly. Celebrity or not, the law is the law, and society has stated in its common set of agreements ("the law") that fighting is both illegal and punishable. If charges aren't brought against him, it's fine as well. Personally, as he's in the entertainment business, the physical damage to his face, the money being spent to repair it, and the media exposure are most likely ample "punishment" for his involvement in a fight. I can't believe that this attack was completely unprovoked.
As for your comment about "Great Men": I wholeheartedly agree. People are so willing to paint a rosy picture of such immortalized individuals based solely on their accomplishments alone. We're quick to forget that Gandhi was a racist and Mother Teresa refused to help those who wouldn't convert to Christianity, for example. And "Greats" may have done amazing things, yes, but to imagine them as flawless is absurd.
Is Ebizo so very amazing? He's drawn attention to an art form that's been celebrated for centuries and recently near-forgotten. I think he should be respected for the sum of who he is: a talented individual who had gotten in a fight.
<tangent> Besides....who hasn't wanted to get in a fight with one of those bosozoku bastards? </tangent>
Ebizou Ichikawa had a press conference on December 7th.
When he was implicated in the affair, it was the end of November.
He fought in a bar at Rottupongi in Tokyo.
His cheek bone was broken. He was operated, and his face
was almost same as before the affair.
His face didn't have a scar. His attitude was obedient.
He apologized deeply, but his speech was a little obscure.
He said,“I am a complete victim.”, but the opponent was
also injured. The fact should be clear in judgment.
Ebizou Ichikawa is a hope of KABUKI, but his behavior
was very rude. Maybe many people doubt if other KABUKI
actors are similar. KABUKI is a traditional art in Japan,
but I think that young Japanese are not interested in KABUKI.
The future of KABUKI will not be bright. Anyway it is
possible that he will be an assailant. He was a hope,
but after one night he has been in the hell.
Our daily life is important, and we should not judge
a man by his appearance.
Ebizou Ichikawa said in his press conference,
“I was conceited. I should think about myself.”
I have heard that recently he is on his good behavior
at home, and he is learning how to live as a human being.
He needs growth of a human being, and he can become
a great KABUKI actor by his serious reflection.
All fans want that he will shoulder KABUKI in the future.
Anyway now the society of KABUKI and our ordinary society
are too different.
The society of KABUKI should sincerely recognize this fact.
KABUKI can't survive if there are no fans.