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Ebizo dropped by sponsor after pub brawl

30 Comments

Disgraced kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo, who was involved in a pub brawl on Nov 25, has been dropped by sponsor Pip in a forthcoming ad campaign for the company's Elekiban Z product.

Elekiban Z are small magnets attached to the skin in the belief that they aid blood circulation. The advertising campaign that was due to be broadcast this month has been canceled in light of the publicity over the brawl and the subsequent cancellation of Ebizo's kabuki performances.

Meanwhile, coverage of the "Ebizo incident" has been on the decline since the kabuki star reached an out-of-court settlement with his alleged assailant Rion Ito, 27, and a former bike gang leader, 29. The media are also said to be spending less time camped outside his house, though a few were there over the year-end period.

Ebizo hasn't emerged and is thought to be spending time quietly at home with his wife, newscaster and TV personality Mao Kobayashi.

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30 Comments
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I guess the standards of behavior are different for kabuki actors. Drunkeness and brawling can sometimes be good publicity for bad boy western actors. Many on this site seem to dislike him, but I'm at a loss to figure out why he's "disgraced". For getting drunk? For getting punched in the face?

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I would think Ebizo would be happy not being associated with such scam products.

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Life is ups and downs from time to time. Ebizo was at a wrong place in a wrong time to sweep out nearly 500 million Yen or more on both his agent management firm and commercial sponsors. Elekiban Z is just a commercial product. He and his wife have more time to be together at least she still goes to work as newscaster and TV personality. He will continue his work as soon as media does not find any reason of making money from his headlines. He and his wife have enjoyed a special new year together in Japan.

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How much is he hating being stuck with the wife at home???

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I guess there's not much sympathy for Ebizo because he canceled performances due to feeling unwell then a couple of hours after that announcement went out drinking. Here's a guy who got married last summer behaving like he's still single; he was in no hurry to get home after telling everyone that he was not well that he couldn't fulfill his commitments. I'm not an Ebizo fan simply because the last time I was into kabuki was when Tamasaburo was at his peak and Ebizo was still a toddler.

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You are right, Dentok2009. Ebizo is a junior Kabuki star in Japan. Celebrity behaves not like a common citizen. More people have blamed his comments when he got drunk. I don't quote his saying. But Media has focused on his story for a while until it fades out.

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Sounds like this guy is an alcoholic. What he needs is some rehab!

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What would happen if she tried to divorce him?

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"Ebizo hasn't emerged and is thought to be spending time quietly at home"

I wish I could do that.

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Ebizo hasn’t emerged and is thought to be spending time quietly at home with his wife, newscaster and TV personality Mao Kobayashi.

The758 and sarge, you are right on your statements. If no kabuki theaters and agent firms sign contracts with him. He soon turns out a commoner. But I heard there are many businesspersons want to buy his name for other kinds of businesses. Beers, Sake and tobacco are trillion-yen businesses, if rehab centers can house all drinkers and casual customers ... that is a nightmare! just drink two or three beers, that is O.K in my eyes. But you are a adult to make your choice. But it has better to go with a wife or friend to drive you home.

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Kabuki has stars? What a country...

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Rion Ito, 27, and a former bike gang leader,walked away better off!!!

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Elekiban Z are small magnets attached to the skin in the belief that they aid blood circulation.

I think the word "nonsensical" has been omitted from this sentence.

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How much is he hating being stuck with the wife at home???

I am sure his wife is enjoying it.

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"Ebizo hasn’t emerged and is thought to be spending time quietly at home with his wife, newscaster and TV personality Mao Kobayashi."

I think he's on a domestic bender! It is still New Year's here! But no damage and no cameras makes surmising difficult...

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DentShop : Kabuki has stars? What a country...

It's a misnomer. Kabuki has master actors. . . not unlike Shakespearan Theatre.

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Rion Ito, 27, and a former bike gang leader,walked away better off!!!

Sure why not, if this twit ebizo hant walked into that bar & caused trouble they wud have been left in peace!

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Welcome back, Sarge!

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poor man, he should be forgiven on his looks alone, he's so handsome!

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Elekiban Z are small magnets attached to the skin in the belief that they aid blood circulation.

I think the word "nonsensical" has been omitted from this sentence.

This comment wins!

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"he should be forgiven on his looks alone"

No, he shouldn't.

@Ranger Miffy - Thanks!

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A lot of words are exchanged but the result is nonsense. Ebizo is not a regular kabuki actor because Japanese kabuki acting families are limited to train new talents from outside. that is a point. But his mistake was to say something .... he was Japan's treasure. That made Japanese people felt betrayed and frustrated. Don't poke your nose too much on other things!!! he is a real talent, but in the end Japanese audiences may get bored with his arrogant attitude and dump him. But who knows? It does not make sense he is alone or in companion with someone. No body in this forum is a saint!!! remember ... your mouths should be washed before you say .....thanks

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No, he shouldn't.

Yes he should.

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Wow, where is Ebizo? he may be at his home and read these words ....

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yeah Wow

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@asiantourist,his mistake was to say something and also get drunk at a local pub. Do all national treasures drink to the point they dont remember and get in fights? And yes, I have soap at home to wash my mouth in case I say something.

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Kabuki theater is an upscale cultural entertainment in Japan. tickets are expensive. Many Japanese and foreigners have got in lines to get one ticket. It seems to learn more Japanese culture in order to have a good understanding this traditional theatrical performance. Ebizo is one of young kabuki actors having high commercial values in Japan. He may take a long break before Japanese people want him back on stage. Good luck to him and his wife.

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This brawling incident will be long forgotten in a year or two, so Ebizo should look at this as a break and a time to reflect. And when he does return to Kabuki, I am sure he will be well received and probably more popular than before.. Or, maybe he is an alcoholic which means he'll blow it again and ruin his career indefinitely...

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Elekiban Z are small magnets attached to the skin in the belief that they aid blood circulation

No, Elekiban Z are small magnets sold under the fraudulent claim that they aid blood circulation and Ebizo should be glad to have ties with this company severed.

Iron in the blood is non-ferrous; if this product could interact with your blood, an MRI would be fatal.

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Now if only the press would drop him.

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