The Pro-Wrestling statues of Dr. Takuro Horikawa - Part 2.

Blog #280 showcases more Pro-Wrestling sculptures by Dr. Takuro Horikawa.
 
After a number of gallery appearances, Dr. Takuro Horikawa continued to sculpt more pieces.
Broadening his inspirations beyond the realms of Pro-Wrestling, Dr. Horikawa's followup 
creations embodied interests from historical figures, movie likenesses, MMA greats, and
even Dinosaurs. 


           


Hollywood Hogan and The Rock's infamous staredown at WM X8 in 2002.




Dr. Horikawa's interests also go beyond Wrestling itself with a sculpture of Greek Olympian figure Apollo.




Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira.



Edo period Samurai and influential figure Ryoma Sakamoto; as portrayed by Japanese Actor Masaharu Fukuyama.



On a smaller scale, Dr. Horikawa's work has extended to recreating Dinosaurs. Such is the case with this T-Rex sculpture.

Candid office photos of Dr.Horikawa's Wrestling sculptures taken back in 2014.

 

Out of all of Dr. Horikawa's work, I think Horikawa's Pro-Wrestling sculptures are the best. You can clearly see Horikawa's passion as a Pro-Wrestling fan carved into these pieces.




Another Hogan statue from 2015. 

Again, the realism here is amazing. Whereas most Hogan statues feature the Hulkster tearing
through his shirt, or striking a muscle-flexing pose, it's interesting to see Hogan depicted 
in a casual sculpt.

Would a sculpture like this be something you would collect?



Takuro Horikawa pictured at famed Puroresu store Toudoukan holding a mini photo album of his sculptures for sale.

Sadly, the above posts are the extent of the information that I could gather on Takuro. The few Japanese articles that did talk about Takuro stated that his love of Pro-Wrestling was rekindled after a lengthy absence. Crafting Wrestling figures (and sculpting in general) continued to remain a hobby for him beyond his daytime work as a Dentist.

Maybe Takuro's love of Pro-Wrestling will rekindle once again one day, and we'll have more Wrestling sculptures presented on display throughout Japan.

Further reading:

marmalade3232.ashita-sanuki.jp/e864309.html
This appears to be the blog of the Gallery that hosted Horikawa's sculptures.

wwwb.pikara.ne.jp/horitake/newpage4.html
Event photos from when Horikawa's work was featured at the Kagawa Prefectural Culture Hall in April 2011. The event was called Takeshi Horikawa Oil Painting & Takuro Figure Exhibition”; as Dr. Horikawa's father also had oil paintings on display.

www.rnc.co.jp/ent/photom/calendar/rcar/20141112
More gallery coverage from 2014. Includes additional photos of Dr. Horikawa and the previously-seen sculptures.

Giant Baba BABABANK figure review

 Blog #279 Giant Baba BABABANK figure review.

In previous posts, we've looked at several Giant Baba figures from the 1980's. Like the Giant Baba BABAWATCH, Upper-Upper World/EHKOH also released another Giant Baba collectible under
the similar-sounding name of the Giant Baba BABABANK. 

The BABABANK is a miniature soft vinyl coin bank of Baba.

As usual, Baba is sculpted performing his signature chop and 16mon kick techniques.

The coin slot is placed along Baba's backside.

The bottom of the bank displays the corporate information for Upper-Upper World and EHKOH.

There is no date on the figure itself, but I would ascertain that the BABABANK was created 
around 1984.

Upper-Upper World and EHKOH's partnership was a brief but colourful one in the 1980's. While collectors may feel Antonio Inoki had the lion's share of figures made in his likeness (which there are), Giant Baba had the majority of licenses made in the 1980's. 

The BABABANK is a simple, yet interesting oddity from the Japanese Wrestling scene of the 1980's.
A collectible that isn't too hard to find, nor commanding that much from a resale perspective. Most examples can be found for less than $20 from Japanese merchants.

More figure reviews on the way! 

Utsugiyo Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures review

Continuing to share obscure Japanese Wrestling collectibles with the world, I present blog
#260 which squares off against Utsugiyo's Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures.

The Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures are a line of soft vinyl figures that were released
by Japanese toymaker Utsugiyo in 2015.

Each figure stands about 4.5 - 5 inches (which is less than half the size of older Sofubi figures
released in Japan). The design of the figures are meant to resemble the traditional Bullmark
sofubi figures from the 60's and early 70's.

Design-wise, Utsugiyo states that the Champion Series two-pack features two protagonists:
Larry Blackhole and Bear the Ted.

Personally speaking, I think Larry is based on Thunderlips. The hat and handlebar mustache,
plus IGWP-inspired belt seem reminiscent of Hulk's likeness. Additionally, I feel Bear the
Ted is a tribute to Tiger Mask and Bruiser Brody (note Ted's furry boot coverings).




The Champion Series two-pack originally sold for 14,000 yen ($117 USD), which also came
with a colouring book and poster. The poster's design was meant to replicate the look of classic Puroresu posters from the 1960's (specifically, the JWA).

Just like Thunderlips in Rocky III, Blackhole also features a cape of his own.

Only 27 sets were created, and anyone who didn't pre-order by May 7th had to be entered into
a lottery in hopes of bagging the pair.

If you thought $117 for two miniature sofubi's was a tad much, be prepared to feast your eyes
on the following:

         

Utsugiyo released a special variant set that was only available over the weekend.

Unlike the original Champion Series set, this special two-pack included multiple
removable accessories. Teddy's vest chains and beard look reminiscent of Bruiser
Brody here.

Released in 2018, this special set was sold for a jaw dropping 49,999 yen ($367 USD
plus shipping!). Welcome to the expensive world soft vinyl 'designer art toys'.

The only known photo I could find of the packaged Black Friday version. I wonder if the
extra accessories are tucked away inside the packaging, or were removed at the last second?
We may never know.

At 1 to $400+, would you consider hunting down these designer art Wrestling figures?

Haniwa Pro-Wrestling figure set review

On the subject of recognizable merchandising brands, few Japanese toymakers are regarded
as highly as TAKARA TOMY.

In this blog's seven year existence, we have covered several of TAKARA's more notable.
releases. Products ranging from wind-up racecars, to vintage, tabletop board games that
predate the commercial resurgence of video games in the mid 1980's.

Today, we'll be taking a look at one of TAKARA's more obscure pieces of Puroresu
merchandise. A line that mixes the pageantry and visual excitement of the squared circle,
along with a nod to one of Japan's ancient forms of model making.

Article #235 focuses on TAKARA TOMY's Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line:




Known in Japan as 'はにわプロレス', the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line was released by TAKARA/Panda's Ana. The line's edgy slogan "waretara makedayo" roughly translates
to "if you crack it, you lose".


"But what are haniwa"?

                                 Original haniway singer sculptures.

Haniwa are clay, terracotta figures that date back thousands of years. In Japanese culture,
haniwa were initially used as markers for borders of burial grounds. It wasn't until the 4th
century that sculptors began fashioning the haniwa into sculptures of dancers, animals and
even warriors; serving as protection totems and funerary objects that were buried with the
dead.


From historical artifacts to pop culture phenomena - haniwa in modern society:

 'Haniwa-kun', a children's picture book presenting the haniwa sculptures in a light
hearted fashion.

Despite their rather grim history, the image of haniwa figures have taken on a more
animated approach in Japanese media. Over the last twenty years in particular, the
haniwa have evolved from artifacts of historical significance to depictions of
mischievous, sentient beings. More so, these enchanted characters have made
appearances in cartoons, video games and even trading card adaptations; softening
the haniwa's image in the public's eyes over time.

Aesthetically, the antiquated design of the haniwa have also been embraced as a
popular art form; garnishing praise from aspiring model makers and art lovers alike.

Like many Japanese minifigures, the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line were originally sold in
gashapon (gumball vending machines that sell buildable model kit toys in Japan) format
for 200 yen (about $2 USD) each. Figures were distributed at random; encouraging kids
to trade with their friends to track down a full set.

There are five figures to collect in the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line; each one displaying a specific
pose and colourful Wrestling mask.

Seasoned fans of Pro-Wrestling may recognize some of the masks, as these particular designs
are copyright-friendly tributes to some of Japan's most popular real-life Pro-Wrestlers. The
figures are named (left to right):

Taihar Nitto Wan (タイハー・ニット・ワン) - His name sounds just like Tiger Jeet
Singh. He's also carrying a weapon (or is that a flute) in the same fashion as Tiger would
with a sabre sword.

                              
                                  Tiger Jeet Singh with sword between his teeth.

Wanimaru Haniguchi (ワニマル・ハニグチ) - Sounds like Animal Hamaguchi.
Wanimaru's mask seems to resemble Tiger Mask's Red Devil.

Hanidozan (ハニドウザン) -  It seems most of the characters' incorporate the word
"haniwa" into their names. The mask design and pose is obviously based on Mil Mascaras.
Though, this Wrestler's name is clearly inspired by 'the father of Puroresu' Rikidozan.

    Mil Mascaras and Rikidozan - two legends who inspired TAKARA's Haniwa line.

Hanito Muwa (ハニド・ムワ) This is another tough one. The mask depicts an octopus
with the number 8 (obviously referencing the Octopus' 8 appendages). A standard Japanese
Wrestling hold is also the "manji-gatame" (Octopus Stretch).

Hambo Wanita (ハンボ・ワニタ)- Another Tiger Mask character knockoff. There's even
a small bird resting on Wanita's left shoulder.

Closing thoughts:

TAKARA's involvement with Pro-Wrestling is a long and storied one. The majority of which
centred around officially-licensed products that were created for Japan's biggest Puroresu
promotions: New Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling, respectively. 

On it's own, the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line is a unique concept in the world of Japanese
collectibles. These 2 inch gashapon kits are an interesting tribute to the Wrestling legends
of the squared circle from the 1950's to the early 1980's. Talent who, for the most part, only
receive figures created in the form of sofubi/soft vinyl.

As interesting as these collectibles are, TAKARA never released a second wave of Haniwa
Pro-Wrestling figures; making the crossover concept of haniwa and Puroresu a relatively
short one.

On a positive note, collectors interested in adding these eccentric gashapons to their figure
collections can purchase the entire set: --------->HERE<------

Great Muta Squeeze Toy review

When it comes to Pro-Wrestling collectibles in Japan, one trend that shows no signs of slowing
down is Japan's love of keychains.

Whether adding a bit of flair to an old set of keys, connecting a stylish accessory to your mobile
device or hanging a show souvenir below your rear view mirror, keychains are a cheap and
inexpensive item to make that Wrestling fans in the East just can't seem to get enough of.

Just about every Pro-Wrestling promotion in Japan has released at least one keychain product over
the years. Some in lavish packaging. Others as unique twists to other items released by the
manufacturer. Some promotions (like NJPW and AJPW) are still releasing keychains to this day.

For Blog #208, we'll be walking the plank for the Asunarosya Great Muta Squeeze Toy

Released by the Japanese company Asunarosya in 2009, this keychain depicts Great Muta
in his late 2000's All Japan Pro-Wrestling Crab attire.

Some stores also refer to this as Muta's "Pirate" attire.

The tag reads The Great Muta's name in Kanji (black letters) along with "グレート・ムタ
スクイーズ" (Great Muta Squeeze). As the name implies, the Great Muta figure is a squeeze
toy.

The dimensions are 60 x 50 x 50mm (about 2.3 inches).

For a size comparison next to a Toukon Shop Great Muta figure.

Other than Muta looking a little confused, it's a fun, little collectible that reminds me of the
Madballs toy line from the mid-1980's.

NITTO Hulk Hogan Model Kit from Japan

One of the absolute highlights of discovering Japanese Pro-Wrestling figures is the art of
uncovering rare gems from decades past.

Figures of recognizable foreign faces that appeared in Japanese figure lines long before the
WWF even thought about merchandising. The world's first Andre The Giant figure? Japan.
The Funks? Japan. Harley Race, Stan Hansen, Bob Backlund, Bruiser Brody and Abdullah
The Butcher? Yep. You guessed it ...all first made in Japan.

Today, we'll be adding another figure first to the list. Be prepared to say your prayers and
eat your vitamins with Blog #185 which puts the Leg Drop on the Nitto Hulk Hogan model
kit.

Hulk Hogan Nitto Model Kit

Known in Japan as "ハルク・ホーガン ニットーソフビフィギュア" (Hulk Hogan
Nitto Sofubi Figure).

Long before the dawn of Hulkamania in the west, Hulk Hogan was a prominent star
in Japan under the New Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion. As such, Japanese Toy Maker
Nitto decided to release a model kit based on the Immortal One as part of the company's
Professional Wrestling Series.

The unpainted Hogan model kit stands 33.5 cm (13 inches tall).

The front of the box features a painted picture of Hogan in his New Japan era ring attire
which consisted of black trunks inscribed with the Japanese Kanji "一番" (Ichiban
which means "Number One"). If you look closely, the kanji for Ichiban is moulded
into the Hogan model's ring trunks.

Ichiban also appears on the top right of the packaging next to Hogan's name.

The back of the box contains many great illustrations of Hulk Hogan along with a goofy
caricature at the bottom left corner.


           

Just in case you didn't know he was number one, Hogan is sculpted with an upwards
finger point.

The Nitto Hulk Hogan model kit predates Hogan's first action figure (which was made by
POPY) by one whole year in 1980.



Interestingly, the bottom portion of the side of the packaging mentions the Hogan model kit
was licensed by "TAITAN SPORTS" (they were going for Titan Sports - WWE's parent company).

The middle-right of the box strangely lists Hogan's various physical attributes such as
height, weight and muscle measurements.

The description in Japanese even refers to Hogan as "Mr. Axe Bomber" - a nod to Hogan's
Axe Bomber (Lariat) finisher in Japan.

Closing thoughts:

Despite being released one year prior to the incredibly valuable POPY Hulk Hogan Super
Pro-Wrestling Series action figure, the Nitto Hulk Hogan model kit is more common (and
less valuable) than one might think.

Compared to a whole line of blister-carded action figures, unpainted model kits are, for better
or worse, a niche market for collectors at best. The biggest testament to this statement are the
number of unpainted Hogan model kits that still pop up for sale across the web 41 years after
the Nitto Hogan model kit's initial release.

As to my knowledge, Hulk Hogan was the only Pro-Wrestler added to Nitto's Professional
Wrestling Series.

Though, at 13 inches tall, made of hard, durable plastic (whereas most Japanese figures are
made of a cheaper PVC material these days) and one of the very few examples of Hogan
crafted in his pre-WWF attire, the Hulk Hogan Nitto model kit is still a great figure to own
and an early example of how Japan was always one step ahead of the curb when it came to
marketing.

Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection Vol. 1. Kensuke Sasaki figure review

The mid 90's formed a cornerstone in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's sense of marketing.  
A direction inspired heavily by the World Wrestling Federation's longstanding
approach of creating merchandise aimed towards an adolescent demographic.

Setting themselves apart from rival promotions, New Japan Pro-Wrestling began
adopting cartoon caricatures of their biggest stars. Illustrations that were used to
promote upcoming shows and were adorned on countless pieces of merchandise
produced by the promotion.

Blog #169 showcases one of the more obscurer pieces from this particular art
direction. Enter the Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection Kensuke Sasaki figure.

The Kensuke Sasaki keychain stands about 2 inches tall in height and is modelled after
Sasaki's late 1990's simple black trunks and wrestling boots attire.

The Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection was produced by Character Product in 2000.
One of the earliest examples of the toy manufacturer switching from their older "Charapro"
logo to "Character Product".

The three copyrights attached to each figure's card represents New Japan Pro-Wrestling,
Inoki International (since Antonio Inoki is included in the figure line) and "EVILWAYS"
the merchandise holder for Atsushi Onita (who, likewise, is also present in this line).

Despite having a recognizable likeness, this keychain figure is not one of Sasaki's
finer moments in figure form.

Sasaki's era-accurate mullet and goatee are well represented, though. With particular
attention paid to the strands in Sasaki's hair.

The 12 figures to collect in the Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Vol. 1. collection are:

Top row: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Shinya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima

Middle row: Atsushi Onita, Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu

Bottom row: Great Muta (red), Great Muta (black), Kensuke Sasaki and Power Warrior.


On closer inspection, the included logo for "Character Product" is still an early example
that would soon be changed for a third and final time.

ima corporation (who we just reviewed in the K-1 Ernesto Hoost keychain figure review)
are more commonly known for producing merchandise for the K-1 promotion. ima were
also responsible for teaming with HAO to create the polystone Antonio Inoki statue.

Character Product, Toukon Shop, Mogura House, ima corporation, HAO Arts Office and
16d have all worked hand in hand with one another over the years to produce figures for
Japanese Pro-Wrestling promotions. Odd.


Overall thoughts:

Not Kensuke's finest moment in figure form, yet still a faithful recreation of New Japan's
cartoonish source material from the era.

The rarest figures from the set are the Great Muta variants and Kensuke Sasaki's alter ego
Power Warrior. Atsushi Onita has also become quite collectible in recent years with the
western Deathmatch fare.

Character Product would continue releasing other lines of keychain figures, but the
Pro-Wrestling Key Holder collection would never reach another volume.

Deluxe Figure Collection Satoshi Koji figure review

The one thing that has surprised me with starting up this blog again is the large number of figure
reviews that still need to be published.

Going back to deluxe figures, Blog #153 is all about the Deluxe Figure Collection Satoshi
Kojima figure.

Satoshi Kojima would be the 5th figure added to Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection
line in 2001.

As Kojima's second action figure released by that point, Kojima features an updated
hairstyle. ring attire and what I believe is the Team2000 hand symbol.

As a deluxe figure, Toukon Shop went all out with providing Kojima with accessories.

Pictured are Kojima's shades and entrance vest accessories.

Toukon Shop were extra crafty when it came to assembling an entire NJPW-styled ring;
requiring fans to purchase multiple figures and playsets (such as Great Nita playset with
barbed wire ring ropes, Hidekazu Tanaka with IWGP belt, Tiger Hattori with NJPW ring,
etc.)

Also included are the ring bell and mallet for use with the Strong Style NJPW ring playset.

The back of the packaging contains two great shots of Kojima along with his bio and
dossier in Japanese.

And now a brief look at a loose version:

Satoshi Kojima with wearing his entrance vest accessory.

Unfortunately, Kojima's shades, mallet and ring bell accessories were missing from
this example.

The back of Kojima's vest accessory reads "COZYSPACE" ("Cozy" being Satoshi's nickname)
- Becoz I'm never satisfied."

Funny enough, Cozyspace has nothing to do with Myspace; as the deluxe Kojima figure was
released 4 years before Myspace became the dominating force in social media.

With entrance vest removed and a better look at Kojima's ring attire, it's clear to see by
2001 Kojima would begin looking like the Buffet Club leader we've all come to enjoy
today.