In the reconstruction era of post-World War II Japan, the nation was desperate for a symbol of strength. The cities were rebuilding from ash, the economy was fragile, and the national psyche had been bruised by defeat. Into this void stepped a man who seemed larger than life: Rikidozan. Born Kim Sin-rak in Korea but presented to the public as a native Japanese sumo wrestler turned pro wrestler, Rikidozan became the most famous man in the country. He founded the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and popularized the sport of puroresu by defeating massive American “heels” (villains) with his signature karate chop. To the Japanese public, he was not just an athlete; he was the physical embodiment of Japan’s resilience, chopping down the giants of the West night after night.

However, on the

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