Rikidozan関連写真
Rikidozan関連写真
(C) Yuugengaisha Riki Enterprises
Rikidozan
- Biography
1924-1963. Professional wrestler. Born in South Hamgyong, North Korea, he joined the Nishonoseki sumo stable in 1939. Although he rose to the status of Sekiwake, he changed his career to professional wrestling in 1951 and fueled a professional wrestling craze with his karate chops. A match with the Sharp brothers in 1954 was broadcast on street TV and excited all of Japan. There is currently a campaign by his bereaved family to build a Rikidozan Memorial Hall.
- Association with Minato City
Dreamed of turning Akasaka into “Riki KInddom”
It was the professional wrestler Harold Sakata who got Rikidozan into the world of professional wrestling. Rikidozan, who came to see the Suikosha gym in Shiba, was immediately captured by the appeal of professional wrestling and began pursuing his path as a professional wrestler. After making a triumphant return from the United States, he also exhibited his skills as a promoter for establishing professional wrestling as a business.
Rikidozan showed not only talent as a fighter, but also as an entrepreneur. He built the luxurious 8-story Riki Apartments with a swimming pool; operated hotels, night clubs, and condominiums; and dreamed of turning Akasaka into “Riki Kingdom.”
Rikidozan, who was the symbol of postwar rise and the new hero of the TV age, was always surrounded by glamorous people such as foreign wrestlers, financial leaders, politicians, popular writers, and show business talents. Rikidozan adored America and loved using the restaurants and bars in Roppongi frequented by American soldiers for his social events.
References
Concise Nihon Jinmei Jiten (Concise Japanese Biographical Dictionary) (Sanseido)
Gendai Fuzokushi Nenpyo (Time-line of the History of Modern Popular Culture) (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
RIKI; Rikidozan (Edited by Tokyu Agency Rikidozan Kenkyuhan / Tokyu Agency)
NumberBest Selection no.1 (Bungei Shunju)
It was the professional wrestler Harold Sakata who got Rikidozan into the world of professional wrestling. Rikidozan, who came to see the Suikosha gym in Shiba, was immediately captured by the appeal of professional wrestling and began pursuing his path as a professional wrestler. After making a triumphant return from the United States, he also exhibited his skills as a promoter for establishing professional wrestling as a business.
Rikidozan showed not only talent as a fighter, but also as an entrepreneur. He built the luxurious 8-story Riki Apartments with a swimming pool; operated hotels, night clubs, and condominiums; and dreamed of turning Akasaka into “Riki Kingdom.”
Rikidozan, who was the symbol of postwar rise and the new hero of the TV age, was always surrounded by glamorous people such as foreign wrestlers, financial leaders, politicians, popular writers, and show business talents. Rikidozan adored America and loved using the restaurants and bars in Roppongi frequented by American soldiers for his social events.
References
Concise Nihon Jinmei Jiten (Concise Japanese Biographical Dictionary) (Sanseido)
Gendai Fuzokushi Nenpyo (Time-line of the History of Modern Popular Culture) (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
RIKI; Rikidozan (Edited by Tokyu Agency Rikidozan Kenkyuhan / Tokyu Agency)
NumberBest Selection no.1 (Bungei Shunju)
- Related Publications
Chichi Rikidozan: Hajimete Akasu Chichi no Jitsuzo, Chichi he no Ai (My Father Rikidozan: My Father’s True Self and My Love for Him) (Mitsuo Momota / Shogakukan Bunko)
Otto Rikidozan no Dokoku (My Husband Rikidozan’s Lamentation) (Futabasha / Keiko Tanaka)
RIKI; Rikidozan (Edited by Tokyu Agency Rikidozan Kenkyuhan / Tokyu Agency)
Mohitori no Rikidozan (Another Rikidozan) (Shogakukan/Re Suniru)
Otto Rikidozan no Dokoku (My Husband Rikidozan’s Lamentation) (Futabasha / Keiko Tanaka)
RIKI; Rikidozan (Edited by Tokyu Agency Rikidozan Kenkyuhan / Tokyu Agency)
Mohitori no Rikidozan (Another Rikidozan) (Shogakukan/Re Suniru)