Nobu needs a haircut

April 28, 2011

(Note: This is a tongue-in-cheek piece - not to be taken too seriously.   But there is some truth to the title.)

Things are a little quiet.  No news from Canada, and, after this weekend, I expect many more quiet days.

So, let's take up an important subject: Nobu's hair style. 

As you can see from the write-up in the text box above, which originally appeared in a blog maintained by a newspaper in Texas: Nobu's hair style was already an issue during the 2009 Cliburn Competition.    As we know, he charmed a lot of people at the competition, shaggy hair notwithstanding.  No problem there.

However, it has come to my attention that on his almost-completed North American tour, Nobu's hair has been shaggier than ever.   I submit as evidence the exhibits below (click each to enlarge):

He started the tour with a bowl cut (above leftmost), and by the time I saw him in Boston (above second), he was already in need of a haircut.  He wore the same overgrown hair style at Ithaca College, New York (above, third).  So I was astonished to see a photo of him in Fort Worth this week (above right) with his hair practically covering his eyes.  I love Nobu, and even with that awful hair, Nobu manages to come across as the sweetheart that he is.   But it does pain me to see him so under-groomed.  

What gives?  Did he leave Tokyo in such a hurry that there was no time for a haircut?  Has he been kept so busy on this tour that an appointment with a barber has been out of the question?  I just don't understand. 

Nobu wears that bowl cut entirely too often.  It is probably how his hair falls naturally.  But a smart haircut can go a long way. 

Let's take a look at some  footage from the "Soloman Ryu" show,  aired in Tokyo last year (which can be viewed on youTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX3q-Mumx9U.)  In the part of the show where Nobu is shown performing in Corpus Christi, Texas, in fall of 2010:  You will note, in the screen-grabs below, that Nobu is wearing a stylish, sculptured cut that shapes his face extremely well.   I will call this style choice A.  I trust that you agree with me that this style is a vast improvement over the bowl cut.

Here is Choice B: When he is in Tokyo, Nobu sometimes sports what I call the "Tokyo cut".  See photos below.  It is a very stylish cut, but it is very -- what some Americans would call -- "metrosexual", or, using an old-fashioned term, dandy.  And a little feminine.  It is -- in my opinion -- NOT Nobu.    It IS much better than the bowl cut, but I think style A, above, is the way to go for Nobu.

Image is not everything.  But it is something, especially for someone in the public eye.  As an ardent fan, I can overlook just about anything, but others may not be so understanding.  And Nobu IS  -- whether he likes it or not --  representing his own country, Asia, and the blind.  Sorry, Nobu, but a bowl cut just -- ah -- won't cut it. 

He cannot see for himself.  So, whoever is in charge of such things, please see to it that Tsujii-san gets  a good haircut -- at least when he's on tour.  And, while you are at it, perhaps something can be done about his wardrobe also? :-) :-)  Thank you! どうもありがとう!

All in good fun.