As Xen has closed the Hatsumi/Mikkyo thread where this had started to be discussed I thought we might continue it here. Is Hatsumi a public figure? Let's discuss. I asked whether one could argue that Hatsumi was not a public figure and was asked whether I could argue that he is. Yes, I can. And I would present evidence of the amount of books he has published (for the public), the amount of videos/dvds he has released (to the public), the amount of advertisements for bujinkan materials in martial arts magazines here in japan and abroad (available to the public), (public)magazine and newspaper articles, (public) demonstrations at training halls, appearances on (public) television shows, his starring in and writing of the Jiraiya (public) television series, etc. If you present yourself to the public, you are a public figure. Keikai asked a good question as to whether he is a public figure or the public made him into a public figure, but this is something of the chicken-and-egg question. As early as the 1960's Hatsumi was presenting himself to the public. If he didn't wish to be a public figure why did he do so and why has he continued to do so in the ways he has?
I agree with Benkyoka. Hatsumi sensei IS a public figure. Books, DVDs, magazine interviews, television appearances (including several acting roles e.g. Jiraiya), tee shirts, action figures (well, maybe not but you never know). There is no doubt at all that Hatsumi sensei is a public figure. I'm not saying that he set out to be because I don't know and I'm not necessarily saying that he enjoys it but the fact remains that he definitely IS a public figure which has both positive and negative repercussions.
He may or may not have intended it, but he certainly is a public figure. I'm pretty sure if he didn't actually want to be, then he wouldn't be
I think he knew exactly what he was doing. That doesn't mean to say he sought publicity for its own sake. He could have merely have accepted that it is an unfortunate side-effect of sharing the teachings of Takamatsu with a wider audience. Unless I am mistaken, this was at Takamatsu's request. (sorry, no reference, but I'll leave it at the back of my mind and where I read it should come back to me). The question was also asked on the previous thread if it was Hatsumi or his art which are the 'public figure'. Given the nature of many, many posts on here over the last couple of years, I don't see how the two can be seperated. BBT, after all, is Hatsumi's art. You can't have one without the other.
it depends as to what we call a public figure, i personally dont see him that way, i see a public figure as someone such as a politicioan, movie star, singer, celebrity or business leader etc, Bruce Lee was public, i just dont see Hatsumi the same way as i see those people. This is just my feeling on the subject, i dont know if its wrong or right but i wouldnt put him as a public figure as technically he could still continue his work without the public where as a politician cant do without the public. What an excellant question.
I really think this is going to be a matter of semantics here. Keep in mind that even if the public isn't paying attention to a certain person, be it Hatsumi-sensei or another celebrity, that doesn't mean they are no longer a public figure. A public figure is not someone who relies on the public to prosper in life, but rather, someone whose actions and words are readily available for public scrutiny. Hatsumi-sensei can continue his work without the public, but then again, so can celebrities that have faded from the limelight. Just as newspapers would announce the marriage, death, etc. of one of these celebrities, so too would Hatsumi-sensei draw attention from newspapers, magazines, etc. if he chose to elect a foreigner as the next Soke, or even if he simply selected a new Soke period. Given how much he is discussed online and elsewhere, I can't help but say Soke is a public figure. The only way that will change is if Soke suddenly stops making videos, writing books, and allowing for newspaper articles to be written about him and makes his life open for only the members of the Bujinkan. Just my two yen...
Of course he is. He published work under his name that is available for sale to the general public. I'd be willing to bet there are pictures of him inside the book and that the books give some sort of info on him - his resume as it were. How could he be anything but a public figure? Whether he wants to be or not doesn't matter.
I agree with this however I can't help wonder how much of our level of awareness is due to the fact that we study martial arts. Even though Hatsumi-Sensei has had mainstream exposure in the UK through being the focus of a "Life in the Day of" article in the Sunday Times (popular sunday newspaper over here) not to mention the film/TV work, DVDs, books and articles etc. I think you would be hard pressed to find someone unconnected to the MA word who has heard of him. I guess it is the same for a lot of people in specialised areas though. They will be famous in their own field however they may be completely unknown outside of it, regardless of their achievements. Jon.
Hatsumi is obviously a public figure- books, video, seminars, tv shows, magazines. His face is in a lot of places. His face is out there for the public to see. Whether everyone is interested or not is a different story. Anyone who can't see that is kidding themselves.
I absolutely agree with all the previous posts so far. Hatsumi Soke is indeed a public figure, whether he likes it or not, wanted it or not.
The MSN Encarta definition of a public figure is There can be no doubt that Hatsumi Sensei is well known in the world of martial arts but I wonder if he walked down Oxford Street or Wall Street how many people would stop to get their cameras out. Its a bit like if I mentioned the name "Dai Vernon", never heard of him? yet in the world of magic he was known as the professor, and probably the greatest magician ever. Book after book has been written about this guy, not to mention the number of TV appearances. Or Maybe Jeff McBride rings a bell? No. This guy has published DVD after DVD, appeared nightly at some of the most massive magic events in the world, voted one of the most influencial magician in the world ever and even appeared in Star Trek. Never heard of him. I think Hatsumi falls into this kind of catergory. Well known in their fields, but probably not to the general public. Although the case might be slightly different in Japan. Gary Arthur
Public figure info A famous person whose life and behavior are the focus of intense public interest and scrutiny. There has to be a level of public interest in the person which may or may not be connected to the reason they are famous. For example, a public figure such as a politician, industry leader etc. may be famous but not a celebrity unless something else triggers public and mass media interest (e.g. Virgin Director Richard Branson attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon). Other types of fame, particularly those connected with mass entertainment are almost guaranteed to lead to celebrity even if the person deliberately avoids media attention. A person can become an "involuntary public figure" as the result of unwanted publicity so to make Hatsumi a public figure he has to have the interest of the public, are we the general public or part of a private org? Is he an involuntary public figure?
Doesn't this answer the question you asked just after? Hatsumi, the famous ninja, is famous because he's a ninja.
I think Hatsumi Sensei is as public as he has chosen to be. I have read that he was happy to try to crush the rumors about the Ninja and to do that he had to become something of a public figure. Also if you look at how productive he is it would seem that yes he must be a public figure . . . especially having recieved the cultural award from the Japanese Gvt. And yet, (not to be too cliche) he seems to have hidden himself in the shadows. I certainly had no idea who he was before entering Bujinkan. (How many of us can say that we did?) My non martial arts friends and family have never heard of him (which is a little strange because many of them are into Japanese culture and one in particular Japanese history) . . . Even my Japanese friends did not recognize him. In fact they thought I was daft when I first mentioned him. It wasn't until they saw a part of one of the taikai DVD's that they even believed me. Also, and this is important, they had never seen or heard of any of the books, articles, or movies writen by or about him. Just about anybody I've talked to about Dr. Hatsumi, unless they have had exposure to the Bujinkan in whatever way, have not heard of him. There is one person I can think of who knew about him and that was because for his Shodan test in some form of Karate he had to research another martial art. But the other martial artists I have talked to have had no concept of who he is. Does this mean that he is not a public figure? I think silentnightfall got it right when he said that it was a matter of samantics. For my part I think that Dr. Hatsumi is being both a public figure and a none public figure . . . or to put it another way he is as public as he needs/chooses to be.
i think this sums it up well enough and this is why i feel its us who makes him public and not so much his choice. IMHO
Perhaps a good question to ask would be "where" is Hatsumi sensei a public figure? Over here in the West? Perhaps a little because the non-martial arts world may know of him through newspaper articles or his art exhibitions or whatever. However, in the West, most of the people who are aware of him are connected to the martial arts world. In Japan? I think he's a far bigger public figure. Martial arts aside he is well known to people who grew up watching him (and his wife) on the television (I forget the name of the children's programme off hand but there were pictures in an issue of Sanmyaku IIRC). He had a main role in the TV series based on Jiraiya. He was the chairman IIRC of the Japan Writer's Club (again, don't crucify me if I haven't got the name of the organisation quite right). He has given talks during religious conferences. He is involved in a great many circles beyond martial arts training.
