One of Japan’s best-known kabuki actors has been given a suspended prison sentence for helping his parents die in an apparent suicide pact that sent shockwaves through the world of Japanese traditional theatre.
According to media reports, Ichikawa had told his parents he wished to kill himself after learning that a weekly magazine was about to run a story accusing him of sexually abusing and harassing actors and staff belonging to his theatre collective.
The Kyodo news agency quoted the court as saying that Ichikawa’s decision to help his parents commit suicide had been “short-sighted”, adding that his involvement in a crime should “not be taken lightly”.
The classical form of Japanese theatre combines highly stylised movement and unusual vocalisation, and is performed by all-male actors dressed in elaborate costumes and colourful makeup “masks”.
Ichikawa said the article had been only one factor in explaining his actions, telling the court in a recent hearing that he was suffering from stress after years of caring for his father, who had cancer and exhibited dramatic mood swings.
“I caused such trouble to the kabuki world that I felt I no longer deserve to be part of it,” media reports quoted Ichikawa, 47, as telling the court last month.
The original article contains 590 words, the summary contains 206 words. Saved 65%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
One of Japan’s best-known kabuki actors has been given a suspended prison sentence for helping his parents die in an apparent suicide pact that sent shockwaves through the world of Japanese traditional theatre.
According to media reports, Ichikawa had told his parents he wished to kill himself after learning that a weekly magazine was about to run a story accusing him of sexually abusing and harassing actors and staff belonging to his theatre collective.
The Kyodo news agency quoted the court as saying that Ichikawa’s decision to help his parents commit suicide had been “short-sighted”, adding that his involvement in a crime should “not be taken lightly”.
The classical form of Japanese theatre combines highly stylised movement and unusual vocalisation, and is performed by all-male actors dressed in elaborate costumes and colourful makeup “masks”.
Ichikawa said the article had been only one factor in explaining his actions, telling the court in a recent hearing that he was suffering from stress after years of caring for his father, who had cancer and exhibited dramatic mood swings.
“I caused such trouble to the kabuki world that I felt I no longer deserve to be part of it,” media reports quoted Ichikawa, 47, as telling the court last month.
The original article contains 590 words, the summary contains 206 words. Saved 65%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!