Asahi: Kabuki glare gives flu the evil eye
It's a look meant to freeze swine flu in its tracks. Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo gave Osaka audiences a thrill when he struck his famous nirami facial expression to repulse the swine flu virus on stage at the Osaka Shochikuza theater in Chuo Ward on Wednesday, the first day of a tour that ends June 10. The 31-year-old actor decided to add the glare to his performances to cheer up the flu-hit Osaka, although it wasn't originally on the program. The nirami is a trademark look of Kabuki's Ichikawa family. It is said that anyone who catches the glaring performer's eye will be protected from catching cold in the coming year. A great cheer erupted from the predominantly female audience when Ebizo struck his frightening pose.
